Three identifiers that answer different questions
| Identifier | Purpose | Use in ScentDecoder |
|---|---|---|
| Batch / lot mark | Identifies a manufacturing batch; a supported format may imply a production period. | Enter this mark with the correct brand. |
| Conventional EAN / UPC | Identifies a retail product through a GTIN. | Do not enter the long product number as a batch code. |
| Ref / SKU / product reference | Catalog or inventory reference used by a brand or seller. | Do not substitute it for the manufacturing mark. |
A barcode is a way to encode information, so “barcode” does not always mean “product number only.” GS1’s retail barcode guidance explains that some two-dimensional formats can carry additional fields, including a batch or lot. ScentDecoder does not scan those symbols or parse their complete payloads; it expects the manufacturing characters typed separately.
How to tell them apart on packaging
First identify the conventional retail barcode and its digits. Then look for a separate short stamp, imprint, or mark on the carton or bottle base. Ref and SKU identifiers may appear on stickers or next to product text. Length is a clue, not a universal test. Follow the illustrated find-code guide if several numbers compete for your attention.
- Do not use ml/oz volume or an address number.
- Do not use 24M/36M beside an open-jar symbol: it concerns time after opening.
- Do not paste a QR marketing URL or a shop price label.
- Do not shorten a barcode until its last digits fit a supported pattern.
What happens if you enter the wrong number?
A long barcode will generally fall outside the current supported patterns and return Unknown. That is an input or support issue, not a counterfeit verdict. A short, unrelated string may coincidentally fit a rule; a returned date does not establish that you entered the correct identifier.
Revisit the physical mark instead of changing digits until a date appears. Photograph the whole panel, record each number’s location, and preserve leading zeros. If the input still cannot be identified, use the unrecognized-code checklist.
Supported-format orientation
| Brand guide | Pattern accepted by this checker |
|---|---|
| Tom Ford / Jo Malone | Exactly three characters: A–L, a year digit, then an alphanumeric site character. |
| Dior | Year letter, month letter, then one or two digits; supported alphabets apply. |
| Chanel | Three to six alphanumeric characters, starting A–H in the current library. |
Read the Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Dior, or Chanel page before applying a pattern. A shape match does not establish that every product or vintage era uses that scheme. Our methodology describes the evidence limits.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EAN the perfume batch code?
No. A conventional EAN or UPC represents a retail product identifier, not a manufacturing batch. Enter the separate manufacturing mark in ScentDecoder.
Can a barcode prove perfume authenticity?
No. A plausible product identifier can be copied, and a batch code can be copied too. Neither by itself authenticates the bottle or its contents.
Why did another site accept my barcode?
An input field accepting digits does not establish that it decoded a manufacturing date. Check what identifier the service uses and how it supports the returned date.
What do High, Estimated, and Unknown tell me?
They describe decoding evidence and uncertainty, not authenticity. Estimated includes repeating-year assumptions; Unknown means no approved rule matched. See the methodology for the current confidence policy.