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How to get a Birkin in Paris: Appointments, relationships, and more
If you're planning a trip to Paris, you might be wondering how to get a Birkin bag there. It's one of the most coveted handbags in the world, born from a chance encounter in 1984 between actress Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London.
Each bag requires at least 18 hours of handwork by an artisan; the supply is extremely limited, and the demand is sky-high.¹
The problem is, if you want to get a Birkin, you can't just walk into a store and pick one off the shelf. There are 2 main approaches: applying for an appointment if you're visiting short-term, or building a relationship with a sales associate to play the long game.
Here's everything you need to know about how to get a Birkin in Paris.
We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.
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Option 1: Apply for an appointment
In Paris, you can enter a lottery system to get a leather appointment for the following day at one of the 3 main Hermès stores: Faubourg Saint-Honoré (FSH), Sèvres, or George V.
Here's how it works:
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Apply online the day before: You must apply between 10:30 am and 6:30 pm Paris time through the online system²
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Provide your passport number: You'll need to input your passport information when filling out the form (you can only submit 1 form per passport)
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Wait for confirmation: If you're lucky, you'll receive an email informing you that you've secured an appointment, specifying the time and store location
The Hermés Paris appointment system is competitive, and there are rumors that it receives thousands of applicants every day, with very limited spots available. To increase your chances, it's a good idea to avoid popular times like Paris Fashion Week or Saturdays.
When you arrive, you'll meet with a sales associate (SA) who will discuss what you're looking for. You'll talk about the specs of the Birkin you're eyeing, and if they have it in stock, they may offer it to you on the spot.
Make sure to dress well. If you have Hermès pieces, definitely wear those. Be chatty and friendly with your sales associate — a big chunk of the decision of whether or not to sell the Birkin to you is up to them.
Option 2: Build a relationship
Building a long-term relationship with a sales associate is the more traditional path to getting a Birkin bag, but it also takes longer.
Choose an Hermés boutique to go to, and try to see the same sales associate. Make purchases from various departments, such as scarves, jewelry, shoes, housewares, and ready-to-wear to show that you appreciate the brand as a whole, not just the bags.
Here are a few other tips:
- Visit regularly: Go to the boutique regularly and make small purchases over time instead of one or two big splurges
- Be genuine: Don't treat your experience like a transaction, and be human because Hermès wants lifelong clients, not one-time shoppers
- Communicate your preferences clearly: When your sales associate asks about your interests, be specific, such as "My dream is a classic black Birkin 30 and I'm happy to wait for the right piece"
There's an unspoken expectation that clients will spend a certain amount before being offered a quota bag, such as a Birkin. This isn't officially published anywhere, and no one at the store will tell you an exact number.
Even celebrities struggle to get a Birkin bag, so building this kind of relationship and purchase history takes time and patience. But showing genuine interest in the brand and developing rapport with your sales associate increases your chances of eventually being offered your dream bag.
How much is a Birkin bag in Paris?
There's a wide range when it comes to how much a Birkin bag costs. Retail prices at Hermès boutiques start around 10,000 USD for a standard leather bag but can go over 200,000 USD for rare exotic skins or special editions.¹
All prices aren't available to the public, but here's a breakdown of typical price ranges based on data from the secondary market:
| Birkin | Price range (secondary market, in USD)¹ |
|---|---|
| Birkin 15 | 35,000 to 65,000+ |
| Birkin 25 | 28,000 to 60,000+ |
| Birkin 30 | 18,000 to 40,000+ |
| Birkin 35 | 15,000 to 30,000+ |
| Birkin 40 | 15,000 to 28,000+ |
Retail prices at Hermès stores can be lower than these secondary market figures. The secondary market prices reflect markups due to scarcity and immediate availability.
Leather type also significantly affects price. Standard leathers like Togo, Clémence, and Epsom are the most accessible options. Exotic skins like crocodile, alligator, or ostrich come with premium prices and are even more difficult to get.
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Important considerations
Before you try to get your Hermés Paris purse, keep these things in mind:
- No guarantees: Even with an appointment or a strong relationship with a sales associate, there's no guarantee you'll be offered a Birkin
- Stock is unpredictable: You might be offered a bag that isn't exactly what you had in mind, in a different color, size, or leather than you requested
- Don't give up after one try: If you get rejected once, that doesn't mean you won't have success on another visit
Overall, the process of getting a Birkin bag requires a certain degree of persistence.
Also, you may not be able to buy many bags in the same style. Even longtime collectors can be told that they've purchased too many of a certain silhouette and may be encouraged to diversify.
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Bringing your Birkin back to the US
Once you get your Birkin bag in Paris, there are a couple of steps to take care of before heading home to the US.
Claiming your VAT refund
As a non-European visitor, you can get a VAT (Value-Added Tax) refund on purchases you make in France. The VAT rate is around 20%, which translates to nice hefty savings on a luxury purchase like a Birkin.³
When you buy your Birkin, ask the sales associate for a VAT refund form. You'll need to get this form stamped at the airport before you check in. Just look for the customs office or tax refund desk, and they'll guide you through the process.
Declaring at US customs
When you return to the US, you're required to declare any purchases you made abroad.
The duty-free exemption is 200 USD, 800 USD, or 1,600 USD per person, depending on the countries you visited, and anything you buy over that amount may be subject to customs duties.⁴
Naturally, a Birkin well exceeds all of these thresholds, so you'll need to declare it on your customs form. The customs officer will tell you how much your duty is, but the rate is typically 5% to 10% for a bag.
Be honest about your purchase. You may get a great duty rate and pay very little on your bag, but if you're caught in a lie, you'll face a penalty and other serious consequences.
How to get a Birkin in Paris: FAQs
Are Birkin bags cheaper in Paris?
Yes, Birkin bags generally cost less in Paris than in the US or other countries. Hermès is a French brand, so you're buying directly from the source without import costs. Plus, as a visitor from outside the EU, you can claim a VAT refund of around 20%, which adds up to savings on your purchase.³
Can I walk into Hermès and buy a Birkin?
No, you typically can't. You can walk into any Hermès store in Paris, but you'll need an appointment to view leather goods like Birkins.
If you don't have an appointment, you can try coming into the store and asking the sales associate if there's a cancellation. Sometimes, they're able to squeeze you in, but this is rare.
What is the hardest Hermès bag to get?
All quota bags are hard to get because of limited production and high demand. But the most elusive Birkin bag is the Himalayan Birkin, which has a gradient leather that fades from smoky gray to white, mimicking the Himalayan mountains. These bags are very rare and expensive.
How long do I have to wait to get a Birkin?
There's no set timeline. Some lucky shoppers walk into a Paris boutique with an appointment and are offered a Birkin on their first try, even without any purchase history. At the same time, many people spend months or years building a relationship with a sales associate and making regular purchases until there's a Birkin available for them.
Getting a Birkin comes down to 2 paths: trying your luck with the appointment lottery system in Paris or building a relationship with a sales associate and establishing a purchase history over time.
Both approaches require patience and just a little bit of luck. There are no guarantees, but there's always a chance that you'll be able to land one of the world's most coveted handbags during your trip to Paris.
If you do successfully buy a Birkin in Paris, managing the currency conversion can make a big difference in how much you spend. Banks and credit cards often add hidden exchange rate markups on top of international purchases, which can cost you hundreds of extra dollars on a luxury item.
| Wise can help you get a better deal on currency conversion. You can convert over 40 currencies at the standard mid-market exchange rate, and we'll show you the fees upfront so you know exactly how much you're paying. |
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Sources
- Sotheby’s - Complete Guide to Buying a Birkin Bag
- Purse Bop - What is the link to make an appointment with the Paris Hermés stores?
- Purse Blog - The Bag Lover’s Guide to Value-Added Tax Refunds in the Biggest International Shopping Markets
- US Customs and Border Protection - Know Before You Go: Traveling Abroad
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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