You can check a Longchamp bag’s serial number by finding the white leather tag stitched inside the bag, usually near the lining or hardware. On a genuine bag, this code should start with two letters, either AA for Made in France, AE for Made in China, or AB for Made in Tunisia, and it should exactly match the serial number printed on the plastic cover the bag was originally sold in. If the numbers don’t match, or the tag is missing entirely, that’s a strong sign the bag isn’t genuine.
Background on Longchamp and Why the Le Pliage Gets Faked So Often
Longchamp is a French leather goods house founded in the 1940s, best known today for the Le Pliage, a lightweight, foldable nylon tote designed by Philippe Cassegrain in 1993. Its simple silhouette and practical design turned it into one of the most recognisable bags worldwide, which is exactly why it’s also become one of the most widely counterfeited designer bags on the market. Because genuine Le Pliage bags are seen everywhere, from airports to school runs, fakes are easy for counterfeiters to produce and easy for casual buyers to be fooled by.
Given how common Le Pliage counterfeits are, checking the serial number has become one of the standard first steps buyers use before trusting anything else about a listing or a secondhand bag.
Where to Find and Read the Serial Number
The serial number sits on a white leather tag stitched into the interior of the bag, typically near the lining seam or close to the hardware. On a new bag, this same code should also appear on the yellow and white plastic cover the bag comes packaged in when purchased new, and the two should match exactly.
The first two letters of the code indicate where the bag was manufactured. AA means the bag was made in France, AE means it was made in China, and AB means it was made in Tunisia. All three are used for genuine Longchamp production, so none of them alone confirms a fake, but a code that doesn’t follow this format, or is missing altogether, is a clear warning sign.
It’s worth noting that a serial number checker isn’t a single official Longchamp database buyers can search online. In practice, “checking” the serial number means confirming its format, placement, and consistency with the rest of the bag, sometimes supported by paid authentication services that review photos of the tag alongside other details like stitching and hardware.
Other Details to Check Alongside the Serial Number
The serial number is a strong starting point, but experienced buyers usually confirm authenticity using several details together rather than relying on the tag alone.
- Zippers: Genuine Longchamp bags use YKK zippers, and the zip buckle should carry the Longchamp 1948 branding with the horse logo. Zip pulls are typically marked with a size code, such as 45 for small and medium bags.
- Material finish: Authentic Le Pliage nylon has a matte finish that barely reflects light. Fakes often use a shinier, smoother material that catches the light more noticeably.
- Leather trim: The flap and handles on leather trimmed styles should be genuine leather, feeling soft and supple rather than stiff, rough, or overly shiny.
- Stitching and folding: A genuine bag folds neatly into its snap closure with crisp seams, while fakes can feel bulkier or fold less smoothly.
- Logo detailing: The embossed horse logo should be sharp and clearly defined, with visible fine detail, rather than blurred or overly simplified.
Why Serial Number Checking Matters So Much for This Brand
A few things make this particular check more important for Longchamp than for some other brands:
- Extremely high counterfeit volume. Because the Le Pliage is one of the most copied designer bags globally, buyers are statistically more likely to encounter a fake, especially through resale marketplaces and secondhand sources.
- Consistent tag placement. Unlike some brands where authentication relies mostly on subjective judgement, Longchamp’s tag placement and code format give buyers a concrete, checkable detail.
- Growing secondhand market. As more people buy Longchamp bags secondhand or through peer to peer marketplaces, the plastic packaging that would normally confirm the matching serial number often isn’t available, making the interior tag the main reference point.
- Third party authentication services. Because demand for certainty is so high, dedicated authentication platforms now offer paid serial number and photo based verification specifically for Longchamp, alongside other designer brands.
Comparing Genuine and Fake Longchamp Details
| Feature | Genuine Bag | Common Signs of a Fake |
|---|---|---|
| Serial number tag | Present, matches plastic cover, starts AA, AE, or AB | Missing, mismatched, or incorrect prefix |
| Zippers | YKK branded, smooth action | Unbranded or stiff, sticking zippers |
| Material | Matte nylon, minimal shine | Shiny, smoother, more reflective finish |
| Leather trim | Soft, supple genuine leather | Stiff, rough, or overly glossy material |
| Logo | Sharp, detailed horse emblem | Blurred, simplified, or poorly defined |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official website to check a Longchamp serial number?
No, there isn’t a public database where buyers can search a serial number directly. Checking involves confirming the code’s format, placement, and consistency with the rest of the bag, sometimes with the help of a professional authentication service.
What does it mean if my Longchamp bag has no serial number tag at all?
A missing tag is a significant red flag, since genuine bags are consistently produced with this interior label as standard.
Do AA, AE, and AB all mean a bag is fake?
No, all three are legitimate manufacturing origin codes used for genuine Longchamp bags, made in France, China, and Tunisia respectively. A code outside this format is the actual warning sign.
Can I get a secondhand Longchamp bag professionally authenticated?
Yes, several dedicated authentication services allow buyers to submit clear photos of the tag, logo, stitching, and hardware for a paid review, which can be useful for higher value or uncertain secondhand purchases.
Final Thoughts
Checking a Longchamp bag’s serial number is one of the quickest ways to start verifying authenticity, but it works best alongside a look at the zippers, material finish, leather trim, and logo detail. Given how frequently the Le Pliage is counterfeited, taking a few extra minutes to check these details together, especially on a secondhand purchase, is well worth it before trusting that a bag is the real thing.
