HOW TO AUTHENTICATE LOUIS VUITTON
There are many points that determine whether a Louis Vuitton product is genuine or counterfeit. Authenticity is determined from various points such as logos, zippers, studs, canvas patterns, and so on. I will explain one of them, the serial number.
Many Louis Vuitton products have a serial number that indicates the manufacturing factory and manufacturing date.
Depending on the product, these serial numbers may be difficult to find, or may have faded over time and become difficult to see, but you can find them if you look carefully. It is located in hard-to-find places, such as inside storage pockets or near seams such as inside zippers.
It was in the 1980s that Louis Vuitton began putting them on its items. It seems that it was started as part of anti-counterfeit measures.
There is no description of the serial number on the products before that, so we will refer to other authenticity points.
Also, from around 2021, Louis Vuitton products without serial numbers will begin to be distributed, and embedded IC chips called RFID tags will be built in. This is intended to prevent the distribution of counterfeit products, and information can be read by scanning the IC chip with a special device.
※Difference between serial number and model number
The model number is easily confused with the serial number.
Like the serial number, Vuitton's model number consists of letters and numbers.
However, Vuitton's model number basically consists of one alphabet letter + number, and starts with "M" or "N".
Also, in the case of vintage items, the model number may be a three-digit number.
For example, the model number for the Monogram Speedy 25 is "M41109", and the model number for the Damier Ebene Line Speedy 25 is "N41371". You can search smoothly by entering the model number.
In addition, even the same model has a model number for each color and size, so it is convenient to know the model number.
This model number can be found in the official catalog issued by Louis Vuitton.
※List of serial number alphabet and country of manufacture
Louis Vuitton products are mainly manufactured in France, Spain, and Italy, and older ones were also manufactured in the United States, Switzerland, and Germany.
In particular, American-made products with slightly different models were sold, and items with the "made in USA" stamp were a bit of a boom among enthusiasts.
※Country list
France
AH, AN, AR, AS, AX, BA, BJ, BU, DR, DU, DT, CO, CT, CV, CX, ET, FL, GR, IT, LA, LM, LW, MB, MI, MS, NO, RA, RI, SF, SA, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TH, TJ, TR, TS, VI, VI, VX, RE,
Spain
BC, CA, CR, GI, LB, LM, LO, LW, UB
Italy
BA, BC, BO, CE, CL, FA, FH, FK, FN, FO, FP, FJ, FY, LE, MA, NQ, NZ, OB, PL, RE, RC, RO, ST, TB, TD
America
FC FH LA OS SD
regular shop repair
DK
*It is stamped when repapering is performed at an authorized Louis Vuitton store.
special ordered
AAS
At Vuitton, there are custom-made items that are not normally sold, called "special order items". Special order items are uniquely numbered and contain the letters "AAS" plus a 5-digit number.
※How to read the year of manufacture
The serial number indicates the date and time of manufacture.
Depending on the year of manufacture, the alphabet and numbers are different, so I will explain each year.
The number part is "①②③④" in order from the front.
For example, if it is engraved with "SP0141"
①→0 ②→1 ③→4 ④→1
1980-
There are no alphabets in this era, only numbers.
① &② represent the year, and ③ represents the month.
Example: 834 → April 1983
1985-
This era consists of 2 letters of the alphabet + 3 or 4 digits of numbers.
①&② represent the year, and ③&④ represent the month.
（Sometimes letters and numbers are in reverse order.）
Example: 864AN → Made in France April1986
1990-2006
From this era, the way to distinguish the month notation changed
②&④ now represent the year, and ①&③ represent the month.
Example: SR0063 → Made in France March 2006
2007-
Changed how to distinguish
the week notation
②&④ represent the year, ①&③ represent the week
It now shows the week it was made instead of the month it was made.
Example: CA3165 → Made in Spain Week 36, 2015
As mentioned above, the description of the serial number is just one of the points of authenticity.
Just because the serial number is written correctly, it cannot be said that the product is genuine and not a counterfeit.
Our appraisers are well-educated and have over 10 years of experience. Based on reliable information and a wealth of experience, we reliably eliminate counterfeits and deliver only genuine products.
