Fragrance batch codes: what they tell you
What the batch code on a perfume box and bottle is, where to find it, and what it can and can't tell you about age and authenticity.
Almost every fragrance carries a short batch code. It's easy to miss, but it's one of the most useful things to check when you buy.
What a batch code is
A batch code identifies the production run a bottle came from. Manufacturers use it to trace products, for example if there's a quality problem. It's usually a short mix of letters and numbers.
Where to find it
- On the box: often printed or stamped on the bottom or a side flap.
- On the bottle: printed or etched on the base, or on a small sticker.
The code on the box and the code on the bottle should match.
What it can tell you
Roughly how old the bottle is. Many codes can be decoded to an approximate production date. Free online batch-code checkers do this for many brands. Formats vary by manufacturer, and the checkers aren't official, so treat the result as a guide, not a guarantee.
Which formulation you have. Brands sometimes change a fragrance's formula. Enthusiasts use batch codes to tell older and newer versions apart.
What it can't tell you
It isn't an expiry date. A production date says when the fragrance was made, not when it goes off. Many fragrances also carry an "open jar" symbol with a number, such as 36M, showing how many months it's best used within after opening.
It doesn't prove a bottle is genuine. Counterfeiters copy codes too. A code that decodes properly is a good sign, not proof.
Warning signs
- No code at all, on the box or the bottle.
- A code that's been scratched or cut off. This is sometimes done to hide which distributor stock came from. It's common on grey-market stock. See grey-market fragrance risks.
- Box and bottle codes that don't match.
- A code in a different style from other bottles of the same brand.
Does age matter?
Fragrance stored unopened, cool and away from light usually keeps well for years. Heat, light and air are what damage it. An older bottle isn't necessarily a worse one, but it's worth knowing what you're buying. For more checks, read how to avoid fake fragrances.