When authenticating a Louis Vuitton bag, most people go straight for the date code. For years, this alphanumeric code was the "holy grail" of legitimacy. But in 2026, the game has changed.
While a date code tells you where and when a bag was made, it is no longer the ultimate proof of authenticity. Why? Because counterfeiters have become incredibly efficient at copying the logic. As seen in recent "super fakes," the date code might be mathematically correct, but the font shape or embossing depth is slightly off.
In this guide, our Louis Vuitton Experts break down how to decode every era of Louis Vuitton date codes, how to spot the factory code errors that fakes often make, and the truth about the new NFC microchips.
1. Where to Find Louis Vuitton Date Codes
Locating the date code is often the most frustrating part of the authentication process. Louis Vuitton intentionally hides these stamps to maintain the clean aesthetic of the lining, so finding them can feel like a treasure hunt. They are almost always tucked away along seams or deep inside pockets.
If you are having trouble locating yours, start by checking the interior lining. The most common placement is embossed on a small leather tab attached to a seam or inside an inner pocket. On many fabric-lined bags, such as the Speedy or Neverfull, the code might be stamped directly onto the fabric hidden behind a pocket flap.
For small leather goods, the placement is even more discreet. In wallets, inspect the inner edge of the bill compartment, often right along the stitch line. In agendas, look under the flap closest to the seam. On rare occasions, particularly with certain older bag styles, you might even find the code on an exterior leather strap near the brass hinge.
2. The "Golden Rule": Do Not Rely on Logic Alone
Before we dive into the decoding, a crucial warning: A valid date code does not mean the bag is real.
High-quality counterfeiters have perfected the logic. For example, a fake bag might feature the code DU2154.
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The Logic: This translates to the 25th week of 2014, made in France. This is a valid timeline.
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The Flaw: On a fake, the stamp itself might be slightly less well-defined, the font might be too bold, or the spacing too tight.
While vintage counterfeits often used impossible dates (like a bag made in the "75th week"), modern fakes are surprisingly accurate. Use the date code as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.
3. The Evolution of the Date Code System
A frequent mistake in DIY authentication is applying the wrong rules to the wrong era. Louis Vuitton has updated its identification system five times over the decades.
Here is how to check if your bag fits its purported era:
1. March 2021 – Present: The NFC Era
If you are looking at a brand new LV bag from a boutique today, you will not find a date code.
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The Change: All visible date codes have been phased out in favor of embedded NFC Microchips.
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The Trap: If a bag claims to be a 2024 or 2025 model but features a visible, physical date code tab, it is an instant replica.
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Warning: Counterfeiters caught up to this update immediately. Almost all mid-to-high-quality fakes now contain a scannable chip that brings up the LV website. Therefore, a successful scan is NOT a guarantee of authenticity.
2. 2007 – March 2021: The Weekly Format
During this era, the format is 2 Letters + 4 Digits.
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The Logic:
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The 1st and 3rd digits represent the Week of the year (01-52).
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The 2nd and 4th digits represent the Year.
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Example: DU2154
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DU = Made in France
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2 & 5 = 25th Week
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1 & 4 = 2014
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Result: Made in France, 25th Week of 2014.
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3. 1990 – 2006: The Monthly Format
The format looks the same (2 Letters + 4 Digits), but the reading logic is different.
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The Logic:
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The 1st and 3rd digits represent the Month (01-12).
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The 2nd and 4th digits represent the Year.
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Example: VI0928
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0 & 2 = February (2nd Month)
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9 & 8 = 1998
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Result: Made in France, February 1998.
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4. Mid – Late 1980s: The Vintage Transition
Letters were introduced after the numbers.
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Format: 3 or 4 digits followed by 2 letters.
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Example: 874VX (April 1987, Made in France).
5. Prior to 1982: No Codes
Before the early 80s, Louis Vuitton did not use date codes. Authenticity for these vintage pieces is determined solely by materials, hardware (like the ECLAIR or TALON zippers), and construction quality.
4. The Location Match: Spotting the "Impossible" Combo
One of the easiest ways to spot a sloppy fake is by cross-referencing the Factory Code (the first two letters) with the "Made in" heat stamp found elsewhere on the bag.
These must match perfectly.
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The Flaw: If your bag is stamped "Made in France", but the date code starts with CA (Spain) or BC (Italy), the item is a confirmed fake.
Use the table below to check your factory code:
Note: Louis Vuitton occasionally adds new factory codes or moves production. However, discrepancies in common codes (like CA appearing on a French bag) are almost always a sign of a fake.
5. Fakes: Analyzing Specific Examples
To understand how tricky authentication can be, let’s look at two specific scenarios. Experienced authenticators don't just read the numbers; they check if the story those numbers tell makes sense in the real world.
Example 1: The "Impossible Future" Fake
Imagine you are inspecting a pristine Neverfull and find the date code AR2221. At first glance, the math seems perfect: the code translates to the 22th week of 2021, and "AR" corresponds to a factory in France.
However, this is a confirmed FAKE. The issue here isn't the calculation, but the era. Louis Vuitton officially stopped using physical date codes in March - April 2021 in favor of NFC chips. Therefore, a bag produced in late 2021 should never have a physical code stamped into the lining. The logic is correct, but the timeline reveals the counterfeit.
Example 2: The "Country Clash" Fake
Another frequent error occurs when the factory code contradicts the exterior stamps. Let's say you are looking at a Speedy bag. The exterior leather tab clearly reads "Louis Vuitton Paris, Made in France".
However, inside the pocket, you find the code DU2154. While the date (21th week of 2014) is perfectly valid, the location is wrong. The factory code "DU" signifies that the item was made in France. However the made in stamp says Italy. Authentic bags will never have contradicting location data; if the stamp says France, the internal code must match a French factory.
Example 3: The "Made-up Countrycode" Fake
Another frequent error occurs when the factory code simply does not exist. Let's say you are looking at a bag and find the code MF0175. While the date format (7th week of 2015) appears perfectly valid, the factory code "MF" is not a valid Louis Vuitton code. Authentic bags use specific letter combinations (like AR, SP, or TR) that correspond to actual factories. Since "MF" does not appear in any official records, the bag is a counterfeit, regardless of what the "Made in" stamp on the exterior might say.
6. Summary: What to Look For
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Check the Era: Does a 2025 bag have a datacode label? It shouldn't. Does a 1995 bag have a weekly code? It shouldn't.
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Check the Match: Does the factory code match the "Made in" stamp?
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Check the Quality: Is the font standard? Is the embossing clean?
Need help checking the rest of the bag? Check out our specific guides for the Neverfull, Speedy, and our General LV Authentication Guide. Prefer a guaranteed result? Skip the guesswork and let us authenticate your bag below.
