How to Tell Authentic from Fake Sunglasses

Updated: 12 June 2026 · By the Eye-Shop.eu optical team

Fake sunglasses aren't just a money issue — they're an eye-health issue. Fakes often have no real UV400 protection: the dark lens makes the pupil dilate so more ultraviolet radiation gets in — meaning they harm you more than wearing no glasses at all.

So how do you tell authentic from fake sunglasses? Below are the signs opticians use — they apply to every brand.

1. The price: if it's too good to be true…

Branded sunglasses have a specific price range. A pair of Ray-Ban or Oakley at €25-€30 is almost certainly a fake. Big discounts do happen (older collections, offers), but a price 70-80% below retail on a new model is a red flag.

2. The seller: buy from an authorised store

The surest sign of authenticity is where you buy. Branded eyewear is distributed through Authorized Dealers. Avoid unknown marketplaces, social-media shops with no details, and sellers who don't issue paperwork.
Eye-Shop.eu is an authorised dealer, with a guarantee of authenticity on every pair. When you buy from an authorised dealer, authenticity is a given.

3. Packaging, paperwork & serial number

Authentic sunglasses come with:

• A branded case with the correct logo, a cleaning cloth and a warranty card
• A sticker/label with the model code, colour and dimensions (e.g. RB2140 901 50□22)
• A legitimate purchase receipt/invoice

Fakes often have cheap packaging, spelling mistakes in the logo, or a missing dimensions label on the temple.

4. CE & UV400 marking — the most critical for health

On the inner temple of authentic glasses there's a CE marking (EU compliance) and a UV400 indication or lens category (0-4). On fakes the marking is often missing, wrong, or simply printed with no real protection.
Remember: a dark lens ≠ protection. Only a certified UV400 marking guarantees full UVA/UVB blocking. This alone is the No.1 reason to avoid fakes.

5. Build quality: materials, hinges, weight

Pick the glasses up. Authentic ones have:

• Sturdy hinges (often metal, with screws) that open and close smoothly
• Cleanly finished acetate or metal, with no sharp points or bubbles
• The right weight and balance — fakes are often too light and "plasticky"
• Clear, correctly placed logos, not blurry or crooked

6. Lens etching & details

Many premium brands have a laser-etched logo on the lens (e.g. Ray-Ban's discreet "RB" top right, Oakley's "O"). It's tiny, clean and doesn't rub off. On fakes it's missing or printed/crude.
For brand-specific signs, see in detail: how to spot genuine Ray-Ban — 7 sure signs.

The surest way: buy from an authorised store

All of the above helps, but the simplest and surest way not to fall for a fake is to buy from an authorised dealer with a guarantee of authenticity.
At Eye-Shop.eu you'll find 80+ branded sunglasses, 100% authentic, with an official warranty and paperwork. See also the most popular sunglasses of 2026 and the Ray-Ban vs Oakley comparison.