As a seller on bol.com, bol.com shipping costs are one of the largest expenses that directly impact your profit margin. Whether you're just starting to sell or are an experienced entrepreneur, understanding the different shipping options and their associated rates is essential to staying profitable. In this comprehensive article, we'll explain exactly what shipping costs are, how the three shipping methods (LVB, VVB, and VVB+) work, and how you can strategically save on your shipping costs.
What are bol.com shipping costs exactly?
The bol.com shipping costs are the costs you pay as a seller for shipping ordered products to customers. Unlike many webshops that charge shipping costs separately to the customer, bol.com works with a system where shipping costs are included in your selling price. This means that as a seller, you're never allowed to charge shipping costs to the customer afterwards - this is strictly prohibited by bol.com.
The height of the shipping costs depends on several factors: the chosen shipping method, the weight and dimensions of your product, and whether you're shipping to the Netherlands or Belgium. A good understanding of these factors is crucial to calculate your selling price correctly and keep your margins healthy.
The three shipping methods on bol.com compared
Bol.com offers sellers three different ways to ship products. Each method has its own advantages, disadvantages, and rates. Below, we'll discuss them in detail so you can make an informed decision.
1. Logistics via Bol (LVB)
With Logistics via Bol (LVB), you send your stock to bol.com's logistics center. Bol.com then takes care of the entire storage, shipping, and return handling. This is the most hands-off option and offers several benefits:
- Lower shipping rates - bol.com ships millions of packages per year and can therefore negotiate sharper rates with carriers
- No impact on seller score - if a package is delivered late by the carrier, it won't affect your performance scores
- Customer service by bol.com - bol.com answers delivery-related questions from customers
- Delivery day choice for customers - customers can choose a desired delivery day, including evening delivery
- Delivery to pickup points - customers can choose to have their package delivered to a pickup point or address
- Delivery to Belgium - bol.com automatically handles cross-border delivery
- Compensation in case of loss - up to 75% of the selling price for lost shipments
The downside of LVB is that you give up some control over logistics. Additionally, you pay storage costs to bol.com and need to physically send your stock to their distribution center. Use Boloo's LVB box-size checker to calculate the exact dimensions and costs per product and check your invoice to ensure the correct dimensions are charged.
2. Shipping via Bol (VVB)
With Shipping via Bol (VVB), you keep your own stock and bring packages to a PostNL or DHL drop-off point. You need to drop off your package by 5:00 PM so it can be shipped with the courier the same day. This is the standard option for many sellers who prefer to maintain control.
The benefits of VVB are:
- Full control - you decide when and how you ship your packages
- No storage costs at bol.com - you use your own warehouse or storage space
- Flexible stock location - you can store your stock in multiple locations
- Trusted carriers - choice of PostNL and DHL with their standard service levels
The downside is that the standard shipping rates are higher than with LVB, especially if you're not yet shipping high volumes. If delivery is not on time, this will affect your seller score.
3. Shipping via Bol+ (VVB+)
VVB+ is the premium version of Shipping via Bol and is particularly interesting if you ship more than 20 packages per day (with few mailbox packages). The major advantage is the delivery promise "ordered before 23:59, delivered the next day" which generates extra sales conversions.
Additional benefits of VVB+ over regular VVB:
- Closing time 23:59 - customers can order late with next-day delivery guarantee
- Pickup service - the courier picks up packages from you (drop off before 10:00 at an Ampère point)
- Same rates as VVB - no extra costs for the additional service
Note: with VVB+, evening delivery and delivery to pickup addresses are not possible for customers. This is a limitation compared to LVB.
Bol.com shipping costs rate table 2026
Below you will find an overview of the current shipping rates for the three methods. All amounts are including VAT.
| Package type | Weight | VVB / VVB+ rate | LVB rate (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailbox package | Up to 2 kg | €4,15 | €2,99 – €3,50 |
| Small package | Up to 10 kg | €6,95 | €4,00 – €5,50 |
| Large package | Up to 23 kg | €13,20 | €6,50 – €9,00 |
| Extra large package | Up to 31,5 kg | €15,95 | €8,50 – €11,50 |
| Pallet / special format | > 31,5 kg | On request | On request |
| Up to 350 g | €3,55 | €2,50 – €3,00 |
Note: LVB rates vary per product category, dimensions, and volume. The mentioned amounts are indicative - use the LVB box-size checker for exact calculations based on your specific product dimensions.
How do you process shipping costs in your sales price?
Since bol.com does not show separate shipping costs to customers, you need to factor the shipping costs into your sales price. The formula is:
Sales price = Purchase price + bol.com commission + Shipping costs + Desired margin
Use the profit calculator from Boloo to automatically make this calculation. The tool takes into account all cost components - including bol.com commission, shipping costs, and VAT - so you can immediately see what your net profit per product is.
Example calculation
Let's say you sell a product with the following cost structure:
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Product purchase price | €12,00 |
| Bol.com commission (15%) | €4,50 |
| Shipping costs (VVB, small package) | €6,95 |
| Packaging material | €0,80 |
| Desired margin | €5,75 |
| Sales price | €30,00 |
By switching to LVB, you would save around €2 - €3 per package on shipping costs in this example, which directly affects your margin or gives you room to lower your sales price for a better price score on bol.com.
Price scores and bol.com shipping costs
Bol.com uses price star scores to evaluate sellers based on their price-quality ratio. Shipping costs play a significant indirect role: since you need to factor shipping costs into your selling price, higher shipping costs automatically lead to a higher selling price - and thus a lower price star score.
| Price Stars | Meaning | Impact on Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | Sharpest price in the market | Maximum buy block chance and visibility |
| 4 stars | Good price-quality | Strong competitive position |
| 3 stars | Average price | Acceptable, but improvement possible |
| 2 stars | Above average pricing | Significant disadvantage in winning the buy block |
| 1 star | Most expensive provider | Very low chance of winning the buy block and selling |
Sellers using LVB have a structural advantage: their lower shipping costs make a lower selling price possible, leading to a higher price star score and thus a greater chance of winning the buy block.
Return Costs: The Hidden Shipping Costs
A often forgotten part of shipping costs on bol.com are return costs. On bol.com, you as a seller are not allowed to charge return costs to the customer - this is mandatory and free for consumers. The costs of return shipments are therefore fully borne by the seller.
Average return percentage per category:
- Clothing and fashion: 25–40% return percentage
- Electronics: 5–10% return percentage
- Home and furniture: 8–15% return percentage
- Books and media: 2–5% return percentage
- Toys: 5–12% return percentage
With LVB, returns are automatically handled by bol.com. With VVB and VVB+, you need to process returns yourself and bear the costs of the return shipment. It's essential to include return costs in your margin calculation - use the profit calculator to get a realistic picture of your actual profit after returns.
Shipping Costs Belgium vs. Netherlands
Bol.com operates in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and shipping costs for Belgian customers are generally higher than for Dutch customers. With LVB, cross-border shipments are automatically handled without extra settings. With VVB, you need to arrange international shipping yourself, which further increases costs.
If you generate a significant portion of your revenue from Belgium, LVB is particularly attractive due to its streamlined cross-border logistics. The additional costs for Belgian delivery are lower with LVB than when you ship via PostNL or DHL to Belgium yourself.
7 Strategies to Lower Your bol.com Shipping Costs
1. Choose the Right Shipping Method per Product Group
Not every product is suitable for the same shipping method. Fast-moving, compact products are ideal for LVB, while large or seasonal products can be better shipped via VVB to limit storage costs.
2. Optimize Your Packaging Dimensions
Shipping costs are also determined by dimensions. By optimizing your packaging - for example, from a large package to a mailbox package - you can save significantly. Check with the LVB box-size checker if your products fit in a smaller package.
3. Use Volume Discounts
With higher volumes, you can negotiate better rates with carriers. Sellers who ship more than 100 packages per week can get up to 20–30% discount on standard rates with PostNL and DHL.
4. Check Your LVB Invoices for Dimensional Errors
Bol.com measures products upon arrival at the distribution center. Sometimes, dimensions are overestimated, which means you pay more than necessary. With Boloo's LVB box-size checker, you can detect discrepancies and request a remeasurement.
5. Combine LVB and VVB strategically
You don't need to choose the same shipping method for all your products. A hybrid approach - LVB for your bestsellers and VVB for slow-moving items - minimizes both shipping and storage costs.
6. Continuously monitor your shipping performance
Poor shipping performance leads to a lower seller score, which harms your buy box position. Use the Boloo dashboard to track your performance in real-time and adjust immediately if KPIs fall behind.
7. Calculate your margin per product accurately
Make an accurate margin calculation for each product, including shipping costs, commission, return costs, and packaging material. The profit calculator automates this calculation and warns you if a product is about to fall below your minimum margin.
Common mistakes with bol.com shipping costs
Many sellers make costly mistakes when dealing with shipping costs. Here are the five most common pitfalls:
- Forgetting shipping costs in the sales price - this means you sell at a loss without realizing it
- Not including return costs - especially in categories with high return rates, this can destroy your margin
- Providing incorrect dimensions for LVB - this leads to higher storage costs or remeasurement requests
- Not switching to LVB at higher volumes - many sellers stay with VVB for too long, while LVB is more advantageous
- Ignoring Belgian shipping costs - cross-border rates are higher and must be calculated separately
Frequently asked questions about bol.com shipping costs
Can I as a seller pass on shipping costs to the customer?
No, this is not allowed on bol.com. Shipping costs must be included in your sales price. You can never charge the customer extra costs afterwards.
What are the average shipping costs via LVB?
The average LVB costs range from €2.99 to €9.00 per shipment, depending on dimensions and weight. This is approximately 30-40% cheaper than VVB rates. Use the LVB box-size checker for exact rates per product.
How can I save on shipping costs?
The three most effective ways to save are: switching to LVB for your best-selling products, optimizing your packaging dimensions (mailbox package instead of standard package), and checking your LVB invoices for dimension errors with Boloo's LVB box-size checker.
Do I have to pay return costs myself as a seller?
Yes, returns are free for consumers on bol.com. The return costs are borne by the seller. With LVB, return processing is handled by bol.com; with VVB, you need to organize this yourself.
Is VVB+ more expensive than regular VVB?
No, VVB+ has the same rates as regular VVB. The difference lies in the extra services: a cutoff time of 23:59 and the possibility of having packages picked up by a courier.
The bol.com shipping costs are an inevitable part of selling on the platform, but with the right strategy, you can minimize the impact on your margin. Choose between LVB, VVB, and VVB+ consciously based on your products and volumes, monitor your costs closely, and use tools like the profit calculator and LVB box-size checker to always have control over your logistics costs.
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