Free tool
Louis Vuitton Date Code Decoder
Enter the code from the tag (e.g. SD2129 or VI0963) — we’ll decode the factory, country and production date, and validate the format against typical replica red flags.
2 letters + 4 digits for 1990–2021 bags; digits (+ letters) for the 1980s.
Remember: replicas copy valid codes. A valid code ≠ authentic — run a full AI check or read the Louis Vuitton guide.
Date code formats by era
| Era | Format | Example | How to read |
|---|---|---|---|
| before ~1985 | 3–4 digits | 8210 | 82 — year, 10 — month |
| ~1985–1989 | 3–4 digits + 2 letters | 8810 SD | 88 — year, 10 — month, SD — factory |
| 1990–2006 | 2 letters + 4 digits | VI0963 | 1st & 3rd digits — month (06), 2nd & 4th — year (93) |
| 2007 – March 2021 | 2 letters + 4 digits | SD2129 | 1st & 3rd digits — week (22), 2nd & 4th — year (2019) |
| after March 2021 | no code | — | RFID microchip inside, read in-store |
Factory codes and countries
The most common codes per the authenticator community. Not exhaustive — rarer codes exist.
| Country | Factory codes |
|---|---|
| France | A0 A1 A2 AA AH AN AR AS BA BJ BU CT DR DU ET LW MB MI NO RA RI SD* SF SL SN SP SR TH TJ TR TS VI VX FL* |
| Italy | BC BO CE FO MA OB RC RE SA TD |
| Spain | CA GI LB LM LO |
| USA | FC FH LA OS SD* FL* |
| Germany | LP OL |
| Switzerland | DI FA |
* SD and FL appear on both French- and US-made bags — the “made in …” line on the heat stamp settles the country.
Code checks out? Verify the rest
The date code is just one sign out of seven. Snap photos of the bag — the AI cross-references the monogram, heat stamp, stitching and hardware in about a minute.
FAQ
Does a valid date code prove the bag is authentic?
No. A correct date code is necessary but not sufficient: modern replicas copy valid codes. An invalid format, however, is close to a guaranteed red flag. To judge authenticity, check the whole bag — monogram, heat stamp, stitching, hardware.
My bag has no date code. Is it fake?
Not necessarily. Since March 2021 Louis Vuitton replaced date codes with an RFID microchip, so new bags have no code. Vintage pieces before the mid-1980s had no codes either, and older codes can wear off.
Where do I find the date code?
Usually on an interior leather tab, a pocket lining, or near a seam — the location depends on the model. The code is heat-stamped, not printed.
What do the letters mean?
The two letters identify the factory: most French codes (SD, AR, VI, etc.) mean Made in France, and there are factories in Italy, Spain, the USA, Germany, and Switzerland. A letter combination that doesn’t exist is a red flag.