Understanding Louis Vuitton Factory Location Codes (on Louis Vuitton bags)
LOUIS VUITTON SERIES
Understanding Louis Vuitton Factory Location Codes
on Louis Vuitton bags
This piece dives deeper into our initial blog on 'Louis Vuitton Date Code or Serial Numbers?'. Understanding the date code Louis Vuitton uses is important for anyone interested in vintage or pre-loved luxury handbags because it provides valuable insights into the bag's origin and production date. Knowing how to read these codes helps buyers and collectors verify the history of their Louis Vuitton pieces, adding confidence to their purchase.
The Asnières Atelie: Why are Louis Vuitton Products Made In France?
The Asnières Atelier was established in France in 1859 and remains integral to Louis Vuitton's production. The brand invests heavily in training artisans to preserve traditional leatherworking techniques - ensuring rigorous quality inspection throughout the production process of leather goods.
The brand's design history includes milestones such as the 1896 Monogram - a signature coated canvas used by Louis Vuitton specifically designed for travel durability. This same canvas prevails today across all their leather goods such as their handbags, wallets and even shoes - each of which is constructed using a unique saddle-stitching technique known for its strength and precision. As far as craftsmanship and durability go, Louis Vuitton is an excellent choice for first time vintage buyers.
Just over twenty years later, the first Louis Vuitton store outside France opened in London in 1885, underscoring its early place in the luxury world. Two years later, in 1987, Louis Vuitton merged with Moët et Chandon and Hennessy to form LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) is the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate.
Table of Factory Location Codes:
Since 1990, Louis Vuitton has used a combination of letters and numbers to indicate the date and country of manufacturing for each of its bags. The format of these date codes changed in 2007 from factory-month-year to factory-week-year.
Whilst the majority of LV Bags are still manufactured in France, Louis Vuitton has since expanded their network of specialised ateliers across France, Italy, Spain, and the USA. We've featured a table of Louis Vuitton factory location codes (specifically made for Louis Vuitton bags and wallets) to help you understand where your Louis Vuitton products are manufactured.
| France | A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (special order) |
| AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DR, DU, DR, DT, CO, CT, CX, ET, FL, LA, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SA, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TJ, TH, TN, TR, TS, VI, VX | |
| Italy | BC, BO, CE, FN, FO, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA, TD |
| Spain | BC, CA, LO, LB, LM, LW, GI, UB |
| USA | FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL, TX |
| Switzerland | DI, FA |
| Germany | LP, OL |
Matching the Louis Vuitton Inner Tag with the Date Code
The letters on your Louis Vuitton date code should match the stamped "Made in (country)" on the main Louis Vuitton tag of LV product. On genuine LV items, the LV logo stamp should also look clear and well-spaced. See our example below.
A date code of VI1004 indicates that this authentic Louis Vuitton bag was manufactured in France in October 2004. The factory code of 'VI' on image two matches the 'made in France' shown in image one, and the original label or stamp is another check alongside the date code and country match.
A Final Example of a Louis Vuitton Bags Date Code:
A date code of TR4150 indicates that this authentic Louis Vuitton bag was manufactured in France on the 45th week of 2010. The factory code of 'TR' on image two matches the 'made in France' shown in image one. French-made Louis Vuitton bags often have higher resale value in the secondary market, so this can make some LV bags more worth considering for collectors.
Summary: Louis Vuitton Luxury Bags
Louis Vuitton date codes should not be used as an indicator of authenticity on their own, but they can help determine when a bag was produced and where, especially since the brand has long faced counterfeiting issues. Louis Vuitton fakes accounted for 18% of EU counterfeit accessories in 2004, which is why shoppers should verify bags carefully.
At Vintimié, our Louis Vuitton pieces have all been professionally authenticated and come with a verifiable certificate of authenticity issued by Entrupy.
Related reading: A Guide to Louis Vuitton Bag Date Codes – The Basics