Short answer
"Sac 18" means a handbag measured 18 cm across the base. Inside the Hermes range that size points to the Constance 18, a flap bag with an H clasp and a long shoulder strap. Some sellers also list a "Kelly 18." Hermes does not catalog a Kelly at 18 cm. The smallest current Kelly is the Mini Kelly II at 20 cm. Older Kelly 15 units exist but sit in private collections. Treat every "Kelly 18" listing as a 20 cm pattern or a custom cut.
How the 18 cm figure is measured
Width is taken at the widest point of the base, front edge to back edge. Height runs from the base to the top of the flap. Depth is the side gusset. A Constance 18 measures about 18 cm wide, 15 cm high and 6 cm deep. Strap drop lands near 45 cm to 50 cm. Sellers who quote only one number hide the rest. Ask for all three figures plus strap drop and clasp width.
Hermès Fraudulent Sac 18: Counterfeit Bag Guide
Grades sellers use
- 1:1 or mirror: copies the pattern, hardware weight and stamp placement of a retail unit. Sold in low volume.
- AAA or super fake: mass produced. Thinner leather, lighter clasps, wider stitch spacing.
- "Original leather": no legal or industry definition. Ask for the tannery name and the hide type.
- "Imported hardware": also undefined. Ask for brass or plated zinc, then ask for the gram weight.
What to inspect on an 18 cm replica
- Stitch count. Hermes uses saddle stitch at 9 to 10 stitches per inch. Machine copies land at 6 to 8.
- Clasp weight. A plated zinc Constance clasp sits lighter in the hand than brass. Request the gram figure.
- Stamp depth. "HERMES PARIS" is blind stamped, not printed. Printed foil wipes off with solvent.
- Edge finish. Painted edges show a bead line. Burnished edges show wax and fiber.
- Date code. Location changes by year and workshop. A seller who cannot name the code position is guessing.
Price and supply
Wholesale prices for an 18 cm replica run $80 to $400 per unit. Leather type, clasp metal and stitch method drive the spread. Minimum order quantities run from 3 to 20 units. Lead times run 7 to 30 days from stock or production. Sellers who quote under $60 are shipping split leather with a printed stamp.
Legal status in the United States
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Civil claims fall under the Lanham Act. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit handbags at ports and destroys them. The personal-use exemption does not cover counterfeit trademarked goods. One bag can be seized. Penalties scale with unit count and retail value claimed by the brand.