When Was My Chanel Bag Made? The Serial Code Guide
So, you’ve scored a gorgeous pre-loved Chanel bag—congrats! But now you might be wondering… when was it actually made? Well… Chanel doesn’t exactly stamp the year inside, but here’s the fun part: every bag comes with a little serial code that can tell you its age. Basically, think of this like your bag’s hidden birth certificate (yep, it’s actually a thing).
But seriously: knowing when your bag was made can come up pretty handy. For one, it helps you understand the history and craftsmanship behind your piece—whether you’re carrying a buttery-soft lambskin classic from the 90s or a bold caviar leather beauty from the 2010s. For two, it can give you a better idea of its value on the resale market, since certain years and styles are more sought-after than others. And the most important of all: the serial code can help you authenticate your Chanel handbag—it’s actually one of the key details that professional handbag authenticators look at when verifying a bag’s authenticity (counterfeiters often get serial numbers wrong). So, let’s go ahead and discover when your Chanel bag was made!
Where to find a serial number on a Chanel bag?
The very first step in figuring out how old your Chanel bag is? Tracking down the serial number. Chanel doesn’t make it super obvious—these little stickers are intentionally tucked away so they don’t mess with the bag’s design—but trust me, they’re always there.
If you’re looking inside a Classic Flap in particular, you’ll usually find it in one of the bottom corners of the interior lining. With smaller pieces, like a Wallet on Chain or other mini accessories, the code might be hiding along a side seam or slipped into a pocket. Sometimes you’ll need to tilt the bag just right or gently move the lining to spot it. Once you do, though, you’ve basically unlocked the bag’s “birth certificate”—your direct clue to when it was made.
How to read Chanel serial codes?
The Chanel serial code is typically found in the form of a small rectangular sticker with a string of numbers printed on it, sometimes accompanied by tiny Chanel logos or other security details depending on the year. Older bags (from the late 80s and early 90s) typically bear a simple white sticker with black numbers, while newer ones include clear overlays, holographic elements, or speckled marks to make counterfeiting harder. Then, the code itself can range anywhere between 6 and 8 digits, with the number of digits giving you an immediate clue about the era your bag is from. For instance, a 6-digit code would point to the mid-80s, while a 7-digit code indicates that your bag was produced anywhere from the late 80s to early 2000s. Uncover the full list of Chanel’s serial codes in the table below (to make things easier to understand, I’ve matched the codes with their respective production years).
| Serial Number | Year | Serial Number | Year |
| 31XXXXXX | 2021 | 14XXXXXX | 2011 |
| 30XXXXXX | 2020 | 13XXXXXX | 2009-2010 |
| 29XXXXXX | 2019 | 12XXXXXX | 2008-2009 |
| 28XXXXXX | 2019 | 11XXXXXX | 2006-2008 |
| 27XXXXXX | 2019 | 10XXXXXX | 2005-2006 |
| 26XXXXXX | 2018-2019 | 9XXXXXX | 2004-2005 |
| 25XXXXXX | 2018 | 8XXXXXX | 2003-2004 |
| 24XXXXXX | 2017-2018 | 7XXXXXX | 2002-2003 |
| 23XXXXXX | 2016-2017 | 6XXXXXX | 2000-2002 |
| 22XXXXXX | 2016 | 5XXXXXX | 1997-1999 |
| 21XXXXXX | 2015-2016 | 4XXXXXX | 1996-1997 |
| 20XXXXXX | 2014-2015 | 3XXXXXX | 1994-1996 |
| 19XXXXXX | 2014 | 2XXXXXX | 1991-1994 |
| 18XXXXXX | 2013-2014 | 1XXXXXX | 1989-1991 |
| 17XXXXXX | 2012-2013 | 0XXXXXX | 1986-1988 |
| 16XXXXXX | 2012 | 1XXXXX | 1984-1986 |
| 15XXXXXX | 2011-2012 |
So, here you have it—now you know when your Chanel bag was made! I mean, isn’t it just so cool to know exactly what era your Chanel comes from?
P.S. You may have noticed that the most recent Chanel serial code is for the year 2021. That’s because in 2021 Chanel has phased out serial code stickers in favor of an embedded NFC microchip. These basically work like a digital ID for your bag—when scanned at a boutique, they can instantly confirm authenticity and provide information about the bag’s production. One downside, however, is that this system is only accessible through boutiques; Chanel deliberately restricts public and reseller access, and there’s no guarantee they would check your bag if asked. On the bright side though, this makes it much harder for counterfeiters to replicate the microchips!
I hope this article was helpful! Otherwise, feel free to leave your Chanel serial number questions in the comments below!
