Why are batch codes sometimes scratched off of perfume bottles?

Buying Guide:

It's usually not because it's a counterfeit bottle, counterfeits usually have a legitimate batch code printed on the bottle.

Often this is a primitive technique done by both stores or sometimes distribution, to camouflage the production date of items. In fact it's still being done within modern perfumery to this day.

Here's examples of why or how:

1. Legally a store is given a certain amount of time, to be able to sell a fragrance until it was considered "expired". Stores sometimes scratch the code off and sell off the rest of their stock without having to destroy or remove the leftover "expired" items and lose profits.

2. Stores could sell the "expired" fragrances in bulk, to independent buyers/resellers at discounted rates. The new seller could scratch the barcode off preserving that it wasn't for meant resale. Meaning basically if it came into a legal battle, they could say it was sold as a "collectible", and not meant for use on skin. 

If you find a vintage or modern perfume bottle with it's batch removed, you have to look at all of it's other distinguishing features to identify the time line it was made in. I believe fragrance bottles with scratched off batch codes are commonly the same products as bottles with a preserved batch code.

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