The Hermès Birkin is traded worldwide as a luxury bag with high asset value.
When considering selling a Birkin, one of the first questions on your mind is likely, ‘How much will it be appraised for?’
Even though it’s all called ‘appraisal,’ understanding market price ranges and appraisal criteria can increase your chances of selling at a satisfying price.
In this article, we provide a thorough guide to Birkin appraisal, covering the basics, size-based price ranges, the appraisal process, and tips for maximizing value.
We also cover important points to know before appraisal and tips for choosing a trusted specialist store.
Before selling your Birkin, make sure you understand how the appraisal works.
By understanding the difference between appraisal and purchase, as well as the appraisal process and how long it takes, you can approach the sale with confidence.
An appraisal is the process in which experts determine a bag’s current market value based on its condition, included accessories, and production year (stamp).
Before proceeding with a sale, an appraisal lets you understand roughly how much your bag is worth, giving you the information you need to decide whether to sell.
An appraisal is simply a way to get an idea of the price—it doesn’t mean you have to proceed with a sale.
On the other hand, a ‘sale’ refers to agreeing to the appraised price and actually completing the transaction.
In other words, an appraisal is for ‘gathering information,’ while a sale is the ‘final decision.
At many specialist stores, appraisals are free. If you simply send photos via LINE or similar services, you can sometimes get an estimated value within minutes to a few hours.
Even when having the bag physically checked in-store or via delivery, the appraisal usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Comparing appraisals at multiple stores can help you get closer to a price you’re satisfied with.
When getting a Birkin appraised, the biggest question is usually, ‘How much will it actually be worth?’
Since the value can vary greatly depending on size, color, and condition, knowing the standard market range is the first step toward getting a higher appraisal.
Here, we’ll break down the typical market ranges by size, trends in popular colors, and the investment value as seen in comparison to retail prices.
Demand for Birkins varies by size, which affects their appraisal value.
In recent years, the popularity of smaller bags has increased demand for the 25 cm size, and it’s not uncommon for them to sell above retail price.
The 30 cm size maintains steady popularity due to its practical balance, while the 35 cm size is favored by those seeking more storage. However, their market value tends to be slightly lower.
Please note that the prices listed are current as of the time of writing and may fluctuate with the market.
Popular colors are always in demand, so if the item is in good condition, appraisals can often approach the original retail price.
As of 2025, the domestic retail prices in Japan are as follows: Birkin 25 (Togo) – ¥1,881,000; Birkin 30 (Togo) – ¥2,057,000; Birkin 35 – ¥2,222,000.
In contrast, appraisals in the secondhand market often exceed the retail price, with Birkin 25 pieces in excellent condition or popular colors sometimes reaching nearly twice the original price.
In other words, Birkins retain their investment value over time, even when worn, setting them apart from other luxury handbags.
Birkin appraisal values are influenced not only by size and color, but also by the bag’s condition, the presence of accessories, and the date stamp indicating its year of manufacture.
Here, we summarize the key points that appraisers actually check.
The condition of the bag has the greatest impact on its appraisal value.
For Birkins, the presence of accessories directly affects the appraisal value.
While the presence of the box and dust bag is important, missing items such as the lock (padlock), keys, or clochette are particularly likely to reduce the appraisal value.
The rain cover is often overlooked, but having it can positively influence the appraisal. (Note that some bags do not include it from the start.)
As such, whether all accessories are included can make a difference of tens of thousands of yen or more in the appraisal value.
Hermès bags feature a “date stamp” in the form of a letter, indicating the year of manufacture.
Bags with newer date stamps (more recent manufacturing years) are in high demand and tend to receive higher appraisals. On the other hand, older stamps can still maintain their value if the bag features a popular color or material.
Birkins from the 2020s are in particularly high demand, and unused pieces have occasionally been appraised at nearly twice the retail price.
Knowing in advance “how the appraisal process works” and “what preparation is needed” can provide peace of mind when having your Birkin evaluated.
In this section, we explain the general process of having your Birkin appraised and highlight what you can do to potentially increase its appraisal value.
First, we recommend the LINE appraisal, which can be easily done from your smartphone.
Simply send photos of your bag along with basic information, and you’ll receive an estimated appraisal value within a few hours.
At XIAOMA, LINE appraisals are available—send your pictures and get an estimated price in as fast as 30 minutes.
Once you’re satisfied with the estimated value, a professional appraiser will examine the actual bag.
With XIAOMA’s courier appraisal, even customers living outside major cities can receive valuations equivalent to those in urban areas.
Once the appraisal is complete and you agree with the offered price, the sale is finalized on the spot.
The typical process is as follows:
For more details on XIAOMA’s buying process, please check this article.
Because Birkins have high asset value, it’s important to be aware of a few key points before submitting one for appraisal.
Failing to prepare can result in a lower appraisal value or lead to regret later.
Appraisal values can vary significantly between stores. Especially for Birkins, which are in high demand, differences of several hundred thousand yen are not uncommon.
Rather than relying on a single appraisal, comparing offers from several shops helps you achieve the best possible deal.
While it may seem possible to get a higher price using resale apps or private sales, high-end items like Birkins carry significant risks of authenticity and payment issues.
Considering safety and reliability, it’s best to use a specialist store with certified appraisers and guaranteed authentication.
Even for the same Birkin, the appraisal value can vary greatly depending on which shop you choose.
To confidently secure a high appraisal value, it’s essential to choose a service with transparent criteria and expert appraisers.
Here, we explain the characteristics of each type of service and the advantages unique to specialist stores.
For “investment-worthy” bags like the Birkin, the presence or absence of specialist expertise can lead to differences of several hundred thousand yen in appraisal value.
At XIAOMA, Hermès-specialized appraisers are on staff, enabling valuations that take both domestic and international demand into account.
In this way, having a wide range of sales channels allows them to offer higher appraisals than other stores.
Here’s an example of a Birkin that was actually appraised. You can see how size, material, and color can significantly affect the valuation.
Please note that the following examples are actual buyback cases and reflect the appraisal values based on the market at the time of purchase.
They do not guarantee current or future prices, which may fluctuate depending on market trends and the condition of the item.
Stable, popular colors often receive appraisals well above retail prices when in brand-new condition.
Special-material crocodiles are extremely rare, and appraisals can differ from standard materials by several million yen.
“I requested a Birkin appraisal, and while most other stores offered prices below retail, they worked hard to offer nearly double the retail price. The appraisal space was spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The staff’s service was excellent, making it a truly flawless experience. I will definitely come back if I have anything else to appraise.”
Source: Google Reviews
“I had requested a Birkin appraisal at other stores, but I heard that this shop offered the highest prices, so I decided to try them. In fact, they bought it for over ¥100,000 more than other stores. I highly recommend them for Hermès appraisals.”
Source: Google Reviews
“I am truly grateful for having my Hermès bag purchased at such a high price. (…excerpt…) The staff provided polite and sincere service, making it easy to trust them even for a first-time experience. Compared to other stores, the offered price was overwhelmingly higher, and their explanations were clear and reliable. I would definitely use their service again and can confidently recommend this shop to anyone considering selling their items.”
Source: Google Reviews
“This is the Hermès buyback shop I’ve been visiting for a long time. Just like their LINE appraisals, they always offer fair and reasonable prices. The service is very courteous, and with their strong sales network, it’s truly a shop you can trust.”
Source: Google Reviews
▶︎Click Here for XIAOMA’s LINE Appraisal
Before submitting your Birkin for appraisal, many people have questions or concerns. Here, we’ve selected the most commonly searched questions and provide concise answers.
A：We recommend using a Hermès-specialized buyback shop. Compared to general brand resale stores, they have extensive knowledge of materials, date stamps, and colors, and can provide appraisals that reflect international demand, often resulting in higher valuations.
A：Appraisals can be conducted with the bag alone, but having all accessories—such as the box, dust bag, padlock, clochette, and rain cover—tends to result in a higher valuation.
A：Yes. The estimated amount from a photo-based appraisal may differ from the official valuation after the bag is physically inspected. Minor scratches, color changes, and other details can be difficult to assess from photos, so the final price is confirmed after the in-person appraisal.
A：Appraisals are free at most specialty shops. With a LINE appraisal, you can send photos and receive an estimate within minutes to a few hours. In-person or courier appraisals typically take about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
A：Negotiation is possible. For popular colors or models with recent date stamps, mentioning comparisons with other stores can sometimes result in a higher price. As long as you approach the discussion respectfully, it is rarely a problem.
Because Birkins are special bags with high asset value, the outcome of an appraisal depends greatly on where you submit it and how you prepare.
Let’s review the key points discussed so far and outline some guidelines to ensure a successful appraisal.
Click here to start XIAOMA’s Hermès LINE Appraisal.
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