Hermès Quota Bags vs Non-Quota Bags

What is an Hermès quota bag?

A Hermès quota bag is a bag that boutiques limit per client. The classic quota bags are the Birkin (25, 30 and 35) and the Kelly (20, 25, 28, 32 and 35). Hermès does not publish these rules. They come from what sales associates tell clients, and they change by country and store. When collectors ask for a quota bag Hermès list, the Birkin and Kelly are always at the top.

How the Hermès quota works

Many boutiques limit a client to one or two quota bags a year. Some stores treat each Birkin or Kelly as one quota slot. Accepting a bag that the store treats as a quota bag can use up that slot, or push back your next Birkin or Kelly offer. Very important clients may get exceptions. The safest step is to ask your own sales associate how your store counts the Hermès quota.

Bags some stores treat as quota bags

Some bags are not classic quota bags but may count at certain stores, as PurseBop reports:

• Constance, especially in exotic skins
• Kelly Pochette, and sometimes any bag with “Kelly” in its name, such as the Kelly To Go and Kelly Danse
• Kelly Cut and Shadow Birkin Cut in some locations

Hermès non-quota bags

Hermès non-quota bags are easier to buy and do not count toward the yearly limit. Common examples are the Picotin, Lindy, Bolide, Evelyne, Herbag, Garden Party, Roulis, Jige and 24/24. Non-quota bags usually sell for less of a premium on the resale market than quota bags.

Do special orders count as quota bags?

A special order Birkin or Kelly is still a Birkin or Kelly, so it normally uses a quota slot. Special orders also take months to arrive, often six months to a year. That is why many collectors buy a finished horseshoe stamp bag instead. You skip the quota, the offer and the wait.

Skip the quota with a finished HSS bag

Our HSS Birkin and HSS Kelly collections hold new special order bags you can request today. Read how Hermès special orders work, or see our guide to rare Hermès bags. We serve New York City clients and ship worldwide.