Where are Hermès bags made? France or China?

Hermès is the undisputed peak symbol in the luxury goods industry, and its status stems from its thorough commitment to ultimate craftsmanship and exclusivity. Hermès’ classic products include Birkin bags, Kelly bags, silk scarves and perfumes, etc. The brand’s signature elements are its exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality raw materials.

Especially in leather goods, Hermès is regarded as an industry benchmark. Every bag is meticulously crafted by experienced artisans, and the production process usually takes several weeks or even months. The brand’s concept of “small-scale production and exquisite design” makes its products highly scarce and collectible in the market.

So where are Hermès handbags manufactured? This post will explore the production sites of Hermès bags.

 

What is Hermès bag?

The Hermès bag is a high-end handbag series launched by the French luxury brand Hermès. It is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, top-quality materials and unique design. It is not only a fashion symbol but also a recognized symbol of wealth, taste and social status. Unlike those ubiquitous brands, Hermès is renowned for its extreme exclusivity.

Historical inheritance: Craftsmanship spanning two centuries

Origin and equestrian culture

Hermès was founded in 1837 and initially started with the manufacturing of horse harnesses. Its first handbag, “Haut a Courroies” (late 19th century), was specially designed for knights to carry saddles and boots, laying the foundation for the brand’s design genes that combine practicality and elegance.

The birth of classic bag styles

• The Kelly bag (1956) : It became famous because Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, used it to cover her pregnant belly and was later named after her. Its simple lines and trapezoidal outline have become an eternal classic.
• Birkin Bag (1984) : The brand collaborated with British singer Jane Birkin to design it. With its large capacity and crescent-shaped body, it meets practical needs and becomes a perfect combination of luxury and functionality.

 

Why are Hermès bags so precious?

• Handcrafted: Each bag is meticulously hand-sewn, glued and completed by a well-trained French craftsman. It takes 18 to 25 hours to process a bag, and it takes even longer to handle exotic leather.
• Exquisite materials: Hermès employs the world’s finest leathers, ranging from soft Togo and Clemens calfskin leather to luxurious ostrich, crocodile and alligator leather.
• Exclusivity: Limited production and long waiting lists – customers often need to purchase directly with Hermès.
• Extremely high price points: A basic leather Kelly or Birkin bag starts at around $10,000, while the price of the exotic leather version with diamonds can easily soar above $200,000. They are regarded as investment products that often appreciate in value.

 

Where are Hermès bags manufactured?

Hermès bags are only produced in France. The vast majority are manufactured at over 20 production bases of the brand across 11 regions in France. To meet the high global demand while maintaining its standards, ensuring meticulous quality control and the protection of its handcrafted heritage, Hermès has been continuously expanding its production capacity in France. Hermès has over 20 leather workshops across France, which are located in regions renowned for their high-quality leather craftsmanship.

 

Core production area

Near the main store at 24 Avenue Faubourg, Paris

As the birthplace of the brand, the main store at 24 Avenue Faubourg in Paris is not only a global flagship store, but also has small workshops in the surrounding area, specializing in the production of limited edition or custom bags. For instance, the weaving technique of the brand’s signature silk scarves originated in Lyon, France, and some of the hardware accessories of the bags (such as buckles and chains) are also hand-welded and polished in workshops around Paris.

 

The Riom workshop in central-southern France

The Riom Workshop, which opened in September 2024, specializes in the production of Birkin and Constance bags. These two classic bag styles have extremely high requirements for leather material selection and sewing techniques. The artisans in the workshop need to undergo long-term training to master the brand’s unique “double saddle stitching” technique, ensuring that the seam spacing and tension of each bag are exactly the same.

 

The new workshop in Colombelles, a town along the North Atlantic coast of France

The workshop in Kolonbele, which was announced to be under construction in 2025, is scheduled to go into production in 2028. It will employ 260 artisans and focus on manufacturing Kelly bags, Constance bags and other leather goods. The location of this workshop is designed to take advantage of the climatic conditions along the North Atlantic coast and reduce the humidity fluctuations of leather during storage.

 

The Charleville-Mezieres workshop in the Ardennes department in northeastern France

In line with the planning of the workshop in Cologne, the Ardennes workshop will introduce 260 new artisans in 2027 to expand the brand’s production capacity in eastern France. The traditional leather processing industry in this area is well-developed, providing Hermès with a stable supply of artisans.

 

Planned Opening Year	Workshop/Factory Location	Key Information
2025	Isle d’Espagnac	To immediately increase production output.
2026	Loupes	Part of the capacity expansion plan.
2027	Charleville-Mézières	Part of the capacity expansion plan.
2028	Colombelles	Will be the 27th leather goods workshop; will specialize in producing Kelly and Constance bags and create about 260 jobs.

 

Production scale and efficiency

• Single-workshop production capacity: Traditional workshops can only produce 15 bags per month. New workshops (such as those in Kolonbele) are expected to have an annual production capacity of over 3,000 bags by expanding their craftsman teams, but it is still far below market demand.
• Scarcity strategy: The brand maintains the scarcity and premium space of the bags through a distribution system (obtaining the qualification to purchase bags after purchasing other products) and limited release. For instance, the secondary market price of a Himalayan crocodile leather Birkin bag can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

Are Hermès bags made in France?

Yes, Hermès bags are all made in France. The brand strongly emphasizes its identity as “Made in France” and maintains all its leather workshops domestically to ensure outstanding quality and craftsmanship.

All Hermès bags, including iconic styles such as the Birkin, Kelly and Constance, are handcrafted in over 20 specialized leather workshops across 12 regions of France.

 

Why made in France?

Hermès concentrates the production of all its high-end leather goods in France, maintaining complete control over quality, heritage and exclusivity. This promise of “Made in France” is at the core of the brand’s identity and also the reason for its high price.

• Quality Assurance: Each bag undergoes rigorous inspection. Craftsmen usually work on a single bag for several weeks to refine details such as symmetry, stitching, and leather luster.
• Cultural Heritage: herm has preserved its production in France and the traditional skills (such as saddle making) it acquired when it was established as a harness workshop in 1837.
• Exclusivity: Limited production (for example, only about 70,000 Birkin bags per year) and strict distribution policies maintain the brand’s scarcity and desirability.

Hermès handbags are a testament to the French people’s exquisite craftsmanship. Every stitch, every material and the final touch are all completed in the brand’s homeland. This approach not only ensures unparalleled quality but also consolidates the bag’s status as an eternal investment and a symbol of luxury.

 

Comparison with other luxury brands

LVMH’s global production

Unlike Hermès, LVMH Group (such as Louis Vuitton) has production sites in France, the United States (California, Texas), and other places to meet global market demands. Hermès insists on strictly limiting the production of its core products, such as the Birkin bag and the Kelly bag, to the French mainland.

 

Disputes and clarifications regarding “Made in China”

There was once a controversy on social media about “Hermès bags being made in China”, but the brand explicitly denied having a bag production factory in China. Its core products are only manufactured in French workshops, while some non-core products (such as silk accessories and household items) may involve the global supply chain, but have nothing to do with bag production.

 

Is Hermès made in China?

Hermès bags are not made in China. This brand is mainly produced in France and in other European countries. Hermès does not produce any bags, small leather goods or scarves in China. If a product that claims to be “Hermès” is marked with “Made in China”, then it is fake or counterfeit.

 

Product Category	Primary Manufacturing Location(s)	Key Points
Bags & Leather Goods	France	Core production in 50+ French workshops; new workshops planned through 2028.
Watches & Leather Straps	Switzerland	Specialized workshops in Switzerland for watchmaking.
Other Products (e.g., perfume)	France, Italy, UK, etc.	Additional production sites in other European countries.

 

Why does the problem of “Made in China” arise?

You may come across rumors or discussions about Hermès products being made in China. This might stem from several key issues:

• Misunderstandings about the “final step” rule: Some social media rumors claim that a large proportion of luxury goods are produced in China, and only those that complete the final step in Europe are eligible for the labels of “Made in France” or “Made in Italy”. However, Hermès’ official data and its continuous investment in France strongly refute this claim.
• The existence of counterfeit factories: There are many high-quality imitation Hermès handbags on the market, which are usually produced in places like Guangdong, China. These are all counterfeit goods and have nothing to do with the official Hermès brand.
• The historical background of external workshops: In the past, Hermès did indeed collaborate with a small number of external professional workshops in France (not China) to produce a small portion of its products and strictly supervised them to ensure compliance with their standards. This is different from large-scale outsourcing to China.

In short, when you purchase a genuine Hermès bag, you are investing in a product made in France. The brand’s commitment to “Made in France” is a core part of its identity and marketing strategy.

 

The actual situation of “Made in China”

• Some product collaborations: Hermès once purchased yak wool fabric produced in China (such as blankets), transported it to Paris, sewed a leather logo on it, and then sold it. However, such products do not belong to the core bag series.
• The risk of high-quality counterfeits: In places like Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China, there are underground workshops that produce high-quality counterfeit Hermès bags. However, these products have essential differences from the genuine ones in terms of craftsmanship, materials, and after-sales service.

Some ready-made clothes, shoes and fashion accessories (such as certain scarves, small leather goods or seasonal items) may be produced in China under strict supervision.

 

Is Hermès made in Spain?

No, Hermès bags are not made in Spain. They are completely made in France.

As of 2025, Hermès has no leather goods factories in Spain. Its global production network includes 12 production bases outside France (for example, watches are produced in Switzerland and silk scarves in Italy), but none of them is located in Spain. The brand’s stores in Madrid and Barcelona, although part of its retail expansion, are strictly speaking for sales and customer service rather than manufacturing.

 

Eliminate misunderstandings about Spain

• Counterfeit goods: Spain is a well-known center for counterfeit luxury goods. In 2025, Spanish authorities seized 7 tons of counterfeit Hermès bags and accessories in an operation, highlighting the prevalence of counterfeits claiming to be “Made in Spain” or “Made in China”. The genuine Hermès handbag is printed with the seal “Hermès Paris Made in France” and a hidden serial number (blind stamp), which counterfeiters often cannot accurately replicate.
• Name confusion: A Spanish company named “Hermex” (specializing in the production of school furniture) or “Hermès Aromatics” (a factory located in Barcelona, unrelated to luxury brands) may cause confusion, but these entities have no connection with Hermès International.

 

What products are made in Spain?

Although Hermès does not produce handbags or major leather goods in Spain, the brand may manufacture certain non-leather or non-textile products there, such as:

• Ready-to-wear clothing
• Shoes (Some styles)
• Silk and wool accessories (Limited production)

Spain has a long tradition in footwear and clothing manufacturing. Luxury brands, including Hermès, sometimes produce specific product categories under strict supervision by leveraging this expertise.

However, these items are all clearly labeled with the country of origin and are not part of the mainstream handbag series.

 

Are Hermès bags made in Italy?

No, Hermès bags are not made in Italy. The leather goods of this brand, including its signature handbags, are all exclusively produced in France.

 

Misunderstandings about “Made in Italy”

Some people wrongly believe that Hermès might produce handbags in Italy because many other luxury brands are also manufactured there. However, Hermès’ commitment to French craftsmanship means that all their leather goods are made in France, not in Italy.

 

Material procurement and final production

Italian leather tannery: Hermès has a Louisiana Spa tannery in Italy, specializing in the production of crocodile leather. However, tanning is just one step in the entire process. Raw hides are transported to France for cutting, sewing and final assembly. For instance, the crocodile leather used for Birkin bags undergoes a six-month tanning process in Italy and is then handcrafted into a bag in a workshop in France.

If you see a genuine Hermès bag marked “Made in Italy”, it is very likely to be a fake.

 

Resolve misunderstandings

• Counterfeit goods: Italy is the center of counterfeit luxury goods. In 2025, Spanish authorities seized 7 tons of counterfeit Hermès bags that were claimed to be “Made in Spain” or “Made in Italy”. The genuine Hermès handbag is printed with the seal “Hermès Paris Made in France” and a hidden serial number (blind stamp), which counterfeiters often cannot accurately replicate.
• Retail confusion: Hermès’ flagship store in Florence is located in a historic Renaissance-era building and serves as a sales and cultural space rather than a production site. Similarly, the brand’s focus at the Milan Design Week is on showcasing furniture and artworks rather than producing handbags.

 

Does Hermès have products made in Italy?

Yes, but not handbags or mainstream leather goods.

Hermès can produce certain non-leather products in Italy, leveraging the country’s world-class expertise in textiles and fashion, such as:

• Ready-to-wear clothing
• Shoes (Some styles)
• Silk ready-to-wear or accessories (in limited circumstances)

 

Italy is renowned for its high-quality textile manufacturing. Luxury brands often use Italian factories to produce specific product lines under strict quality control. However, all these items are clearly marked with their countries of origin.

 

Is Hermès manufactured in Australia?

Hermès does not produce finished bags in Australia, but the country is crucial for providing a key raw material: high-quality crocodile leather.

 

Hermès‘ business in Australia

The flat-backed crocodile from Australia is highly regarded for its large abdominal scales and is an ideal choice for making luxury bags. Hermès has made significant investments in crocodile farming in Australia to ensure a stable supply of high-quality crocodile leather for its leather products.

 

In terms of operational details

• Main character raw material (crocodile leather) supply
• There are multiple crocodile farms and leather processing/inspection facilities in Australia
• A new farm in the Northern Territory (planned for 2020) will accommodate up to 50,000 saltwater crocodiles
• Australia produces some of the world’s best crocodile leather, which are highly praised for their large and uniform scales
• Controlling the supply of imported animal leather is a core strategic priority for Hermès to ensure the outstanding quality and rarity of its products.

 

Understand the supply chain

This setup reflects the typical supply chain of luxury goods specializing in the production of rare leather:

• Raw material procurement: Obtained from specific locations around the world renowned for their high quality, such as Australian saltwater crocodile leather.
• Manufacturing and craftsmanship: The finished products are handcrafted by skilled artisans in European workshops (mainly in France).

This separation ensures that the materials meet the highest standards while retaining the traditional craftsmanship at the core of the brand identity.

 

Is Hermès made in Vietnam?

No, Hermès bags are not made in Vietnam. All genuine Hermès handbags (such as Birkin, Kelly and Constance) are handcrafted in France.

 

Products made in Vietnam

Vietnam specializes in the production of small leather goods, accessories and handicrafts that utilize local manual skills.

Jewelry:

• Buffalo horn earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
• Kelly Amulet Necklace (Pendant version).

Leather accessories:

• Small leather goods, such as bracelets and small bags (like Animaux Nattes boxes).

Decoration project:

• Lacquerware boxes, trays, paperweights (such as Fenetres sur Ciel boxes, Lao paperweights).

Household goods:

• Wooden and decorative pallets (such as in the atrium).

 

The role of Vietnam: Limited to non-core categories

No bags or core luxury items: Hermès does not produce bags (Birkin, Kelly, etc.) or watches in Vietnam. All the bags are made in France.

 

Why Vietnam?

• Professional craftsmanship: Vietnam’s expertise in buffalo horn carving, lacquerware and small-scale leather goods is consistent with the categories produced there.
• Cost-effectiveness: The lower labor costs make Vietnam suitable for smaller, labor-intensive items.

 

Why not Vietnam?

Although Vietnam has become an important production base for the global fashion industry, especially for many high street and mass-market brands, Hermès still adheres to its commitment to French craftsmanship.

 

The official sales channels of Hermès in Vietnam

Hermès has only two official stores in Vietnam that allow the sale of its internationally produced brand products:

• The store within Sofitel Metropole Hotel at 15 Ngo Quang Street, Hanoi
• LPH store, 1st floor, Vincom Eden A, 171 Dong Quy Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

In addition, Hermès’ perfumes, watches and other products are sold at Lotte Mall in Da Nang City, Hanoi and some duty-free shops. However, all genuine bags are imported from France and not produced in Vietnam.

 

Is Hermès made in India?

Hermès products are not manufactured in India. The brand continues to be produced in France, while India serves as the source of inspiration and raw materials.

 

Material procurement

Indian materials: Hermès may source local materials such as silk or cashmere for non-leather products, but no leather products use Indian leather. The leather of the handbag comes from Hermès’ tanneries in France and Australia. It is made in Italy and assembled in the French workshop.

 

Hermès Manufacturing vs. Indian Connections

Connection Type	Description	Evidence
Manufacturing Origin	Finished products are Made in France.	Official Hermès product page states Made in France.
Raw Material Source	Leather sourcing from India for specific product lines.	The raw hide of this leather comes from India for Mysore goat leather.
Design Inspiration	Creative themes and collections inspired by Indian culture.	2008 annual theme was “India”; design team visited for inspiration; launched “Mumbai” bag series.
Retail Presence	Sales and distribution operations within India.	“Hermès India Retail&distributors pvt ltd.” imports products from France for local sales.

 

Indian market strategy: Localization and Cultural Integration

• Store expansion: Hermès has opened three stores in India, including the second store at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai and the first large mall store at Chanakya in New Delhi. These stores were designed by the Paris-based architectural firm RDAI, incorporating local cultural elements of Mumbai, such as drawing inspiration from vibrant colors to create retail Spaces that echo the style of the French headquarters.
• Product customization: To cater to the Indian market, Hermès once launched a limited edition Indian sari collection, featuring 28 designs with prices ranging from $6,120 to $8,158. The target customers were high-net-worth individuals in India. In addition, the brand has launched a fashion collection inspired by saris, as well as the “Indian Garden” themed perfume (Un Jardin Apres La Mousson), which conveys the natural scent of India after the rainy season through scents (such as cardamom, pepper, vetiver) and packaging design.
• Cultural cooperation: Hermès collaborates with Indian designers and artists to incorporate traditional craftsmanship (such as embroidery and brocade) into its product designs, while respecting Indian cultural customs. For instance, its watch series once launched the Slim d ‘Hermès Panthere style inspired by the Indian leopard, combining mechanical movements with artistic decorations, embodying the fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics.

 

Conclusion

Hermès bags are 100% produced in France. It has no handbag factories in regions such as Italy, China, and India. It refuses large-scale industrial production to ensure that each piece carries the weight of craftsmanship and time.

“Made in France” for Hermès is not merely a label of origin; it is the fundamental guarantee of its century-old craftsmanship, ultimate quality and luxury scarcity. This is precisely the core reason why its handbags can remain at the top of the luxury pyramid and have the potential to retain their value.

There are also many factories in China that can produce high-quality luxury bags with high-end craftsmanship. If you are running your own bag business and also want to manufacture high-end quality bags, welcome to contact Gionar, a leather bag manufacturer located in Guangzhou, which has been dedicated to high-end bag manufacturing since 2006.