When you buy a perfume, it is natural to want to know when it was made and whether it is genuine. The first question is often answered by a small code of letters and numbers on the box and the bottle: the batch code, also called a lot code. It is easy to overestimate, though. A batch code can suggest a production date, but on its own it does not prove that a perfume is authentic.
In this article we show you where to find the code, how to check it online, which websites to use and what else to look out for.
In short
- The batch code is usually printed or embossed on the bottom of the box and on the base of the bottle.
- Websites such as CheckFresh and CheckCosmetic decode it into an approximate production date.
- A valid code is not proof of authenticity, because codes can be copied. A missing code, or different codes on the box and the bottle, are a serious warning sign.
What is a perfume batch code?
A batch code is a short combination of letters and numbers, usually 4 to 10 characters long (for example 1L01). The manufacturer places it on the packaging and the bottle to identify the production batch. For many brands, the code can be decoded to tell when that batch was made.
There is no single standard. Each brand uses its own system, and some change it over the years. The same code can mean different things for different manufacturers, so always select the correct brand when you check it.
Where is the batch code?
You will usually find it in one of these places:
- On the bottom of the box. It is printed in ink or embossed without colour on the bottom flap. It often sits next to the barcode, but it is not the barcode itself.
- On the base of the bottle. It may be etched into the glass, printed directly on it or shown on a small clear sticker.
- On the bottle label. Some brands print the code on a sticker on the back or underneath, together with the volume and ingredients.
Do not confuse the batch code with the barcode (EAN), the product reference number or the volume. The barcode is the same for every bottle of a given fragrance, while the batch code refers to one specific production batch.
How to check a batch code in 4 steps
- Find the code on the box and on the bottle. Use good light, as embossed codes can be hard to read.
- Select the exact brand on the checking website. Some fragrances are made under licence by a large group, but the websites list them under the brand name.
- Enter the code exactly as printed, without spaces. Watch out for the letter O and the number 0, and for the letter I and the number 1.
- Compare the result on two different websites and check that the code on the box matches the code on the bottle.
Which websites should you use?
Several free tools can decode batch codes. They differ in how many brands they support and in how clearly they show when a result is only an estimate.
1. CheckFresh
The leading batch code website, online since 2012. It supports hundreds of fragrance and cosmetics brands, including Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Lancôme, Creed and Tom Ford. The site is available in many languages and uses example photos to show where each brand places its code. It is a good choice for a quick first check.
Website: checkfresh.com
2. CheckCosmetic
The usual second opinion. Besides the production date, it shows an indicative shelf life. The site itself notes that some of its rules come from unofficial sources and that results may occasionally be wrong, so it works best alongside CheckFresh.
Website: checkcosmetic.net
3. Lot Date
A very large catalogue of more than 3,500 fragrance, cosmetics and personal care brands. It is especially useful for niche and Arabic perfume houses that older websites do not cover. A brand being listed, however, does not mean every one of its codes will be decoded correctly.
Website: lotdate.com
4. SkinCarisma
Offers a dedicated perfume page covering more than 60 fragrance houses. It is handy for well known brands and clearly reminds users that a matching code does not prove authenticity.
Website: skincarisma.com
5. Scento
Supports only a few brands, but explains clearly how it works. It marks whether a date was decoded from a known scheme or is only an estimate because the manufacturer does not publish its rules.
Website: scento.com
If none of these websites can find the code, that does not mean the perfume is fake. The brand may not be supported, the format may be new or a character may have been entered incorrectly.
Does a batch code prove that a perfume is genuine?
No. This is the key point to remember. Counterfeiters can easily copy codes from genuine bottles, and a genuine bottle refilled with a different liquid keeps its original code. A plausible date only shows that the code is possible for that brand.
The opposite, however, is a warning sign. Be careful if:
- the code is missing from the box or the bottle;
- the code on the box is different from the code on the bottle;
- the code has been scratched off, cut out or rubbed away;
- the price is far below the usual price.
Some brands now offer official verification as well. Lattafa, for example, uses a holographic sticker with a QR code that leads to its official verification page, and since March 2025 Xerjoff has placed an NFC chip in every bottle that can be checked by tapping it with a phone.
Production date, expiry and PAO
A production date is not an expiry date. A well stored perfume lasts for years, but heat, light and air gradually change the scent. Keep your fragrances in a cool, dark place, away from the bathroom and the window.
The open jar symbol with a marking such as 24M shows the period after opening (PAO) in which the product is best used. Where this information is given, it takes priority over the general rules shown by checking websites.
The safest option: a trusted retailer
Batch code websites are a useful helper, but the real guarantee of a genuine perfume is where you buy it. At Venera Cosmetics we have worked with branded perfumery since 1992 and offer more than 2,500 different genuine products with guaranteed origin.
Visit our showroom in Plovdiv, browse the Fragrances.bg online store or contact us if you have a question about a specific product.
