How to Authenticate a Chanel Handbag

In April of 2021 Chanel replaced serial number holograms with microchips embedded within a metal plate. This metal plate now replaces the hologram sticker and the authentication card. Yes, no more hologram date codes and authentication cards. 

The microchip uses near-field communication (NFC) technology, which is a type of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) that can also be found in iPhones and used for Apple Pay payments. 

The chip identifies the bag within Chanel’s proprietary database. Anybody with an NFC scanner can scan the microchip, but only Chanel staff have access to the Chanel database and can retrieve information about the bag.

Some fear that the microchip makes it impossible to authenticate a bag outside of a Chanel boutigue. This cannot be further from the truth. With the introduction of the microchip Chanel gave us numerous additional ways to authenticate their bags. 

The serial number hologram was a good element, which was hard for counterfeiters to replicate. However, it was also a very frail sticker, which often came off through the daily use. If you look closely, the new metal tag with a microchip is so intricate and carefully designed that you can glean a lot into confirming your bag’s authenticity.

To authenticate a Chanel bag with metal microchip plate follow these six steps.

1. Look and placement

Look for a metal rectangular plate attached to the lining on the bag’s interior and in WOCs it is inside the zippered pocket. Reference the picture below to help you locate the metal tag.

2. Measurement

The metal plate with the microchip measures 0.78″ wide by 0.52″ high by 0.08″ thick (19.9mm x 12.9mm x 2mm). For a precise measurement we recommend a digital caliper tool.

3. Color

The plate’s color must match exactly the color of the bag’s hardware. For example if the lock and chain are gold color the plate must be in gold color also and of the exact same hue. 

4. Shape and design

The rectangular plate must be perfectly even. The corners have to be slightly rounded. Pointy corners or uneven size are a sure sign of a fake.

5. CC Logo and alphanumeric code

An interlocking CC logo and an 8-character alphanumeric serial code must appear on the front of the plate. The CC logo has to be above the code. The CC logo and the font are laser-inscribed into the metal plate and must be perfectly even with no imperfections in the shape of the CC or the shape of the letters and digits. The alphanumeric code will no longer tell us the production year at a glance. However, we can check the production year in a different way. 

6. Inscription

Feel the metal tag with your finger. An authentic laser-inscription into the metal plate is so light and shallow that you should not feel it with your finger. Your finger should slide freely. However, you will feel it if you slide a finger nail over it. The inscribed parts of the plate should feel like an extremely fine finger nail file. If you can feel the inscription with your finger it means it is too deep and is likely a counterfeit.

Chanel staff will not scan your bag if you bring it inside a store, unless you have a receipt and are trying to return or repair your purchase. After scanning the chip inside the metal plate, Chanel personnel will be able to access their database with the dates of manufacture, distribution, purchase and even repairs of your specific bag.    

To check if your new Chanel bag is real, in addition to inspecting the microchip tag, be sure to look closely at stitching, hardware, CC logo, quilting pattern and zippers as we describe in detail above.