The following is a guide to authenticate Louis Vuitton bags by reading and finding date codes and tags that appear on the interior of the bag. Location of codes can sometimes be a task in itself. Codes will typically contain 6 digits: 2 digits for Country and 4 digits for date (note only in '80s does this differ see below). Depending on what kind of item you buy from Louis Vuitton the location differs on where the date code can be found.
Here are some examples for locating a tag:
- Pull leather tab attached on the interior lining of bag
- Inside the pocket on the part of the pocket that faces outwards along the seam
- Pull leather tab the appears underneath a pocket that is not attached on the interior
- On exterior leather strap close to the strap brass hinge
Labels Made In France / Spain / USA
Along with codes, the manufactured location are typically written underneath the larger leather tag on the interior or for Speedy's on the exterior tab where the lock is attached. The wording is generally as follows but will differ if its special edition (ie. Yayoi Kusama signature etc):
LOUIS VUITTON PARIS
made in France / Spain / Italy / USA
In 2012, new regulations in the USA resulted in new cloth tags that appeared on the interior of bags alongside the regular leather bag tags. The made in USA is omitted from the larger leather interior (or exterior tab for Speddy) and will only indicate "LOUIS VUTTON PARIS". The styles affected are typically monogram canvas bags in Artsy, Neverfull and Speedy. Tags are coloured and indicate "Made in the USA of imported materials". High-end bags tend to still be manufactured in euro countries resulting in no change if purchased from the USA.
How to Read Date Codes
| Manufactured Date | Comments |
| 2007 to today | Numbers used indicate week manufactured followed by the year. First and third number are week of manufacture, second and fourth number are year For Example: "FC2059" meaning made in USA on the 25th week of the year 2009. |
| 1990 to 2006 | Numbers used indicate month manufactured followed by the year, first 2 are month and second 2 are year. For Example: "VX1002" means made in France on October 2002. |
| Mid 1980s to 1989 | Mid 1980s: Order (1) Date then (2) location. Example: 877VX is July 1987 in France.Late 1980s (and until 2006): Order (1) location (2) Date. Example: 892VX is February 1989 France. |
| 1980 to Mid 1980 | No location codes are used. Numbers were three or four to indicate (1) Month (2) Year of manufactured. For Example: "842" means February of 1984. |
| Pre-1980 | No date codes used |
Location Codes for Manufactured Locations
FRANCE
A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DU, CO, CT, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, TR, VI, VX
USA
FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL
ITALY
BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, RC, RE, SA, TD
SPAIN
CA, LO, LB, LM, LW
SWITZERLAND
DI, FA
GERMANY
LP
