Chanel Serial Number Check: How to Authenticate Your Bag Like A Pro

When it comes to luxury bags, Chanel is one of the most targeted brands for knockoffs. Chanel’s luxury appeal plus exclusivity makes it a prime victim. Also, counterfeiters love exploiting Chanel’s desirability among consumers looking for a genuinely timeless piece of fashion. The good part is Chanel does not give in. Its bags have multiple built-in signs of authenticity that no counterfeiter can copy easily and it’s always a good idea to verify those first before buying. One of those is checking the Chanel serial number. 

With that in mind, we’re here to give you the full rundown on deciphering both vintage and new Chanel serial numbers of all the series from the 1980s to today. 

What is a Chanel Serial Number?

A Chanel Serial number is a code unique to every single bag that Chanel manufactures to determine the age of the bag and to help identify the series the bag belongs to. It’s been an integral aspect of Chanel’s authenticity check since the 1980s.

Where Can I Find/Check a Chanel Serial Number in My Bag?

Knowing exactly where to look for the Chanel serial number inside your bag is a skill in itself. The exact location of the serial number depends on the style and production year of the bag. However, unless the bag is a very old vintage piece, there should always be a serial code inside.

In most cases, you’ll find the Chanel serial number on a sticker that is either glued directly to the inside lining or it’s placed on a leather tab that matches the interior color of the bag. The sticker is protected by a clear tape but over time, it may start to peel or turn yellow or even purple due to the glue. As with everything Chanel, the sticker should look polished and well-made. If the writing on the sticker seems off, that’s a red flag.

How to Check if the Sticker on My Chanel Bag is Authentic?

This particular sticker includes Chanel logos, and starting around 2000, a clear tape with a hologram security feature for extra protection. Over the past few decades, the sticker’s designs, Chanel logos, and the hologram have evolved based on the bag’s production year, making it an important detail for the Chanel authenticity check and its dating.

Authentic Chanel bag stickers have small gold speckles scattered throughout. You’ll find two Chanel logos positioned above the serial number. The sticker has a cross-cut pattern, which ensures that if someone tries to tamper or remove it, the sticker will become damaged. 

A true Chanel serial number sticker will not display a rainbow hologram. If you see one, it’s likely a fake.

What About Chanel Authenticity Cards? 

From the mid-1980s onward, genuine luxury bags from the house were accompanied by Chanel authenticity cards that feature the same Chanel serial number that’s found on a sticker in the bag’s lining. 

How to Check if a Chanel Authenticity Card is Indeed Authentic?

Genuine Chanel authenticity cards have a thick, sturdy, plastic structure. Fake cards are generally flimsy and thin with uneven edges. An original card has a clean and sharp gold trim around the edges and the embossed serial number which is the same shade of gold. If the gold hue of the trim and serial number differs, the card is likely fake. The serial number is embossed precisely and in a perfectly aligned manner with no blurring smudges or irregularities. 

Check the Chanel serial number on the card and verify that it matches the one inside the bag. 

It’s important to know that in the second-hand market, people with larger collections may misplace their Chanel authenticity cards and put the wrong card with the wrong item so it’s not a 100% dependable option to check a Chanel bag’s authenticity.

How do Chanel Serial Numbers work?

To verify the authenticity and the production year of your Chanel bag, start by checking the serial number. The number of digits and their patterns vary based on the bag’s production year. Here is how to interpret the serial numbers:

• 8-digit Serial Numbers: if your bag has 8 digits it was produced between lead 2005 and the present. The year can be identified by the first two digits, for example, 24XXXXXX corresponds to late 2017 to early 2018.
• 7-digit Serial Numbers: if your bag has a 7-digit serial number, the first digit indicates the year of production. For instance, 6XXXXXX signifies production between 2000 and 2002.
• 6-digit Serial Number: Rarely, vintage Chanel bags may have a six-digit serial number. Most bags from 1986 featured a 7-digit number starting with a zero however some early 1986 bags may have a six-digit number starting with one or two skipping the leading zero. 

If the serial number on your bag doesn’t conform to Chanel’s standard format or exceeds 8 digits, chances are it’s a counterfeit. 

How to Check Chanel Serial Number Online from 1980s to 2021? 

Yes, Chanel serial numbers can be checked online but the process is not as straightforward as some other brands because Chanel does not have any official database for public access! Here’s what you can do:

1. Take help from Chanel Authentication services online such as those provided by Dallas Designer Handbags. All you have to do is submit the serial number along with images of your bag for analysis. 
2. Check out the comparison tables such as the one we’ve provided below. You can trace your serial number and figure out if it aligns with the expected format of the year you believe your bag was made. 
3. Another way to Check Chanel’s Serial number online is by looking through social media and YouTube for tips shared by handbag experts.

Check Chanel Serial Numbers Range & Date Code

How to Check a Chanel Serial Number in 2024?

If you’re checking a Chanel bag’s authenticity in 2024 or onwards, things have changed quite a bit. Since 2021, the brand upped its game and let go of the Chanel authenticity cards and stickers. Instead, they’ve introduced Chanel Microchip codes. These NFC-enabled microchips are integrated inside shiny metal plaques that not only look chic but are an excellent way to fool counterfeiters. They’re like a new designer ID. The plates are not in sequence anymore like the numbers on the stickers have been.

How To Figure Out the Chanel Microchip Code Check?

So, how do the microchips work? Each metal plaque has a number that matches your bag’s invoice. When you scan the microchip, all the details about when and where the bag was made and even its purchase history become apparent. This means every Chanel bag has its journey tracked but the information remains confidential and is only accessible to Chanel staff and specialized scanning devices. 

Just like the old stickers, you can check the Chanel serial code on these new plates for authentication as they’re unique to their specific bag. The codes are random (or so we think?) which makes it harder for counterfeiters to catch on. 

Currently, there is no way to tell the bag’s production year from these codes. But each metal plate contains 8 characters, which are a mix of digits and letters. If your bag has a retail tag, the QR code on it should match the code on the item itself. Retail tags are the only way to identify the season of an item. 

When experts authenticate a Chanel Serial number, they look at the formal of the digits, the font, and the stamping. If the bag is new, the metal plate also has a thin plastic protective film on it. 

FAQs about Checking Chanel Serial Number

1. Can a Chanel bag have a serial number but no authenticity card?
   

   Yes, it’s possible. Authenticity cards can be lost over time, but the serial number inside the bag remains a key indicator of authenticity.

2. Do all vintage Chanel bags have serial numbers?
   

   Most Chanel bags produced since the mid-1980s have serial numbers. However, very early vintage pieces may lack them.

3. Can two Chanel bags share the same serial number?
   

   No, each Chanel bag has a unique serial number. Identical numbers suggest counterfeit items.

4. How can I verify a Chanel serial number online?
   

   While Chanel doesn’t offer online verification, third-party tools like the Chanel Serial Code Calculator can provide insights into the bag’s production year.

5. What should I do if the serial number sticker in my Chanel bag is missing or damaged?
   

   If the serial number sticker is missing or damaged, it’s advisable to seek professional authentication to ensure the bag’s authenticity.

What are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Checking Chanel Serial Numbers?

Chanel serial number format varies by year. Make sure you’re familiar with the pattern specific to the time your bag was made. For example, a 7 digit number might indicate an older bag while an 8-digit number applies to newer models!

Always make sure the reference you’re using while checking the Chanel serial number online is authentic and updated. 

Do not rely solely on the serial number. Always consider the overall quality, the materials, and the design details of your bag.