What is the bol.com commission and why do you pay it?
The bol.com commission is the fee you pay to bol.com for every successful sale through their platform. This commission is the main source of income for bol.com and is used to keep the platform running, invest in marketing, and drive technological innovation. If you sell products via bol.com, it's essential to understand exactly how the commission structure works so you can accurately calculate and optimize your profit margins.
Bol.com reaches over 13 million unique visitors every month and processes tens of millions of orders annually. To benefit from this enormous reach, you pay bol.com a commission on every sale. The commission consists of two components: a fixed contribution per sold item and a variable percentage that differs per product category. This system is designed to provide a fair fee for all product categories.
The two components of bol.com commission
Bol.com's commission system consists of a fixed and a variable component. Together, they form the total bol.com commission you pay per sold product. Understanding how both work is crucial for your pricing strategy.
Fixed commission per item
The fixed commission is a fixed amount you pay per sold item. To keep the sale of cheaper products attractive, bol.com uses three tariff bands based on the selling price:
| Selling price (incl. VAT) | Fixed commission (excl. VAT) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €10.00 | €0.20 | Low rate to stimulate the sale of cheap items |
| €10.00 – €20.00 | €0.40 | Middle rate for the mid-range segment |
| Above €20.00 | €0.85 | Standard rate for most products |
| Computers, phones, TVs, white goods, drones, large furniture (above €20) | €2.48 | Higher fixed commission for expensive electronics and large white goods |
| Books, games, music, films (media surcharge) | + €1.00 | Additional media surcharge on top of the fixed commission |
Variable commission per category
In addition to the fixed commission, you pay a variable percentage of the selling price. This percentage varies per product category and ranges from 4.1% to 20.7%. The standard variable commission is 12.4% excluding VAT. Below, you'll find an extensive overview of the variable commission per product category:
| Product category | Variable commission (excl. VAT) | Indication of profit effect |
|---|---|---|
| Power tools | 4.1% | Very favorable — low commission |
| Computers & electronics | 5.0% | Favorable |
| Pet food | 6.0% | Favorable |
| Garden & DIY | 8.5% | Average |
| Camping equipment | 10.8% | Average |
| Toys & hobby | 12.4% | Standard |
| Home & kitchen | 12.4% | Standard |
| Books & office | 12.4% | Standard |
| Fashion & sports (up to €50) | 12.4% | Standard |
| Fashion & sports (above €50) | 13.0% | Slightly higher |
| Baby & child | 12.4% | Standard |
| Bedding | 14.1% | Above average |
| Beauty & care | 15.0% | High |
| Jewelry & accessories | 20.7% | Very high — check your margin |
It's essential to know that bol.com regularly adjusts these rates. Always check the Partnerplatform for the most up-to-date percentages. With Boloo's Winstcalculator, you can directly calculate how much commission you pay for a specific product.
Where does bol.com spend the commission?
Many sellers wonder where their bol.com commission goes. Bol.com invests the commission revenue in various areas that directly contribute to your success as a seller:
| Investment | What it brings you | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reach & marketing | 13+ million monthly visitors who can find your products | TV campaigns, social media ads, seasonal campaigns |
| Findability (SEO) | Your products are found through Google and other search engines | Bol.com scores high in Google on thousands of search terms |
| Platform development | New features that improve the customer experience | Improved search function, recommendation algorithms, mobile app |
| Customer service | Professional handling of customer questions on your behalf | Chat, email, and phone support |
| Financial handling | Bol.com takes on payment risk — you always get paid | iDEAL, credit card, pay later, gift cards |
| Logistical infrastructure | Fulfillment centers, return processing, and delivery optimization | LVB warehouses, Track & Trace, return depots |
| Visibility & promotion | Ongoing campaigns that attract more customers to the platform | Sinterklaas, Black Friday, Back to School campaigns |
| Sales tools | Free tools and insights via the Partnerplatform | Sales statistics, search trends, advertising opportunities |
In short: the bol.com commission you pay is an investment in the ecosystem that makes your sales possible. Without this investment, bol.com wouldn't be able to offer the reach, reliability, and infrastructure that you benefit from as a seller.
Calculation examples: how to calculate the total bol.com commission
To make it concrete how much bol.com commission you pay, we work out five calculation examples for different price levels and product categories. Use these examples to estimate your own situation or calculate it exactly with the Winstcalculator.
Example 1: inexpensive product (under €10)
You sell a phone case for €8.95 in the Electronics Accessories category (12.4% variable commission).
- Selling price: €8.95 (incl. 21% VAT)
- Price excl. VAT: €7.40
- Fixed commission: €0.20 (product under €10)
- Variable commission: €7.40 × 12.4% = €0.92
- Total commission: €1.12
- VAT on commission (21%): €0.24
- You receive: €8.95 − €1.12 − €0.24 = €7.59
Example 2: product in the mid-range (€10–€20)
You sell a kitchen mixer for €18.50 in the Cooking category (12.4% variable commission).
- Selling price: €18,50 (incl. 21% VAT)
- Price excl. VAT: €15,29
- Fixed commission: €0,40 (product €10–€20)
- Variable commission: €15,29 × 12,4% = €1,90
- Total commission: €2,30
- VAT on commission (21%): €0,48
- You receive: €18,50 − €2,30 − €0,48 = €15,72
Example 3: standard product (above €20)
You sell a set of towels for €34,95 in the Bedding category (14,1% variable commission).
- Selling price: €34,95 (incl. 21% VAT)
- Price excl. VAT: €28,88
- Fixed commission: €0,85 (product above €20)
- Variable commission: €28,88 × 14,1% = €4,07
- Total commission: €4,92
- VAT on commission (21%): €1,03
- You receive: €34,95 − €4,92 − €1,03 = €29,00
Example 4: expensive product (electronics)
You sell a laptop for €699,00 in the Computers category (5,0% variable commission, €2,48 fixed commission).
- Selling price: €699,00 (incl. 21% VAT)
- Price excl. VAT: €577,69
- Fixed commission: €2,48 (electronics above €20)
- Variable commission: €577,69 × 5,0% = €28,88
- Total commission: €31,36
- VAT on commission (21%): €6,59
- You receive: €699,00 − €31,36 − €6,59 = €661,05
Example 5: jewelry (highest commission)
You sell a silver necklace for €49,95 in the Jewelry category (20,7% variable commission).
- Selling price: €49,95 (incl. 21% VAT)
- Price excl. VAT: €41,28
- Fixed commission: €0,85 (product above €20)
- Variable commission: €41,28 × 20,7% = €8,54
- Total commission: €9,39
- VAT on commission (21%): €1,97
- You receive: €49,95 − €9,39 − €1,97 = €38,59
As you can see, the total bol.com commission can add up, especially in categories with high variable percentages. Always calculate your net profit with the Profit Calculator before adding a new product to your range.
Additional costs besides bol.com commission
Besides the standard bol.com commission, there are other costs you need to consider as a seller. It's essential to understand the complete cost picture to calculate your actual profit margin.
Logistics via bol.com (LVB) costs
If you use Logistics via bol.com (LVB), you pay extra fulfillment costs. LVB takes care of the storage, shipping, and return handling of your products. The costs depend on the weight, dimensions, and type of product:
| Costs | Rate | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment costs (small package) | From €2,79 | Depends on weight and dimensions |
| Fulfillment costs (large package) | From €4,99 | For larger and heavier items |
| Storage costs (standard) | €8,00 per m³/month | Monthly storage costs in the warehouse |
| Storage costs (peak period) | €12,00 per m³/month | Higher rates in November/December |
| Labeling by bol.com | €0,19 per item | If bol.com needs to apply labels to your products |
| Return processing | Included | Returns are handled by bol.com |
| Destruction of unsellable items | €0,50 per item | For products that can no longer be sold |
Use the LVB Box Size Checker from Boloo to calculate your expected LVB costs for your products in advance.
Shipping costs when shipping yourself
If you ship yourself, you pay the shipping costs. These vary from €3,50 to €6,95 per package with most carriers. For larger or heavier packages, the costs may be higher. Don't forget to include packaging costs.
Advertising costs (Sponsored Products)
Want extra visibility? You can use Sponsored Products, the advertising system of bol.com. You pay per click (CPC) and the costs vary per category from €0,10 to €1,50 per click. Read more about advertising on bol.com in our extensive guide.
Bol.com commission on returns: do you get your commission back?
A frequently asked question among sellers: do you also pay bol.com commission if a customer returns the product? The good news is that bol.com credits the charged commission as soon as the return shipment is processed. So, you don't pay commission on returned products.
However, keep the following in mind when it comes to returns:
- Crediting only takes place after the return has been received and processed
- You won't get back the shipping costs you've made
- You can file a claim for damaged returns via the Partner platform
- A high return percentage can affect your performance figures
Always take into account a return percentage of 5–15% in your margin calculation, depending on your product category. In categories like fashion and electronics, return percentages are usually higher.
Comparing bol.com commission with other platforms
How does the bol.com commission compare to other sales platforms? Here's a comparison to give you a better perspective:
| Platform | Fixed costs | Variable commission | Reach (NL/BE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bol.com | €0,20–€2,48 per sale | 4.1%–20.7% | 13+ million visitors/month |
| Amazon.nl | €39/month (Pro) or €0,99/sale | 7%–15% | Growing, but smaller than bol.com |
| Own webshop (Shopify) | From €36/month | 0%–2% (payment costs) | Depends on your own marketing |
| Marktplaats/2dehands | Free–€5 per ad | 0% | Large, but focused on second-hand |
| Etsy | €0,18 per listing | 6.5% + payment costs | International, niche (handmade) |
Although the bol.com commission may be higher than with your own webshop, you can compensate for this with the enormous reach and reliability of the platform. Many sellers combine bol.com with their own webshop for an optimal strategy. Monitor your performance on all channels with the Sales Dashboard.
10 tips to optimize your bol.com commission
You can't directly lower the bol.com commission — the percentages are fixed per category. But you can handle the costs more smartly and maximize your net margin. Here are ten proven strategies:
1. Choose the right product category
Make sure your product is in the right category. Incorrect categorization can lead to a higher commission percentage. Check this in the 'Assortiment' tab on the Partner platform.
2. Focus on categories with lower commission
In your product research, you can specifically search for products in categories with more favorable commission rates, such as electric tools (4.1%) or electronics (5.0%).
3. Calculate your margin in advance
Use the Profit Calculator to calculate your full cost price: purchase price + bol.com commission + shipping costs + packaging + return costs. Only sell products with a minimum net margin of 25-30%.
4. Optimize your sales price
A higher sales price means more variable commission, but also more absolute profit per unit. Find the sweet spot where you achieve maximum profit. Test different price points and analyze the effect on your sales figures and margin.
5. Bundle products
By bundling products, you only pay the fixed commission once instead of multiple times. A set of three towels pays a fixed fee of €0.85 once, while three separate towels cost €0.85 three times.
6. Reduce your return percentage
Fewer returns mean fewer lost shipping costs and more successful sales. Use the Listing Generator AI to optimize your product pages with accurate descriptions and images that manage expectations well.
7. Consider LVB for higher conversion
Products shipped via LVB receive the 'Shipped by bol.com' label, which can increase conversion. Although you pay extra LVB costs, the higher turnover can more than compensate for this.
8. Continuously monitor your costs
Use the Sales Dashboard to keep track of your actual commission costs, margins, and profitability per product. This way, you can quickly identify products that do not generate enough margin.
9. Research commission discounts
Bol.com sometimes offers temporary commission discounts for specific categories or new product segments. Keep an eye on the Partner platform and bol.com newsletters for these promotions.
10. Automate your invoicing
By automating your invoicing, you save time and always have an accurate overview of your commission costs. This makes it easier to do your tax return and analyze your profitability.
Common mistakes with bol.com commission
Many sellers make costly mistakes because they don't understand the commission structure well enough. Here are the six most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Not including commission in price calculation | Selling products at a loss | Always use the Profit Calculator beforehand |
| Product in the wrong category | Unnecessarily high commission percentage | Check categorization on the Partner platform |
| Forgetting VAT on commission | Actual costs are 21% higher than thought | Always calculate with commission including VAT |
| Not calculating return costs | Margin lower than expected | Calculate with 5–15% return percentage per category |
| Only paying attention to variable commission | Forgetting fixed commission for cheap products | Always add fixed and variable commission |
| Missing commission changes | Margins deteriorating unnoticed | Check rates periodically and subscribe to updates |
How Boloo helps you with bol.com commission
With Boloo's tools, you always have insight into your actual commission costs and profit margins. Here are the most important tools that help you manage your bol.com commission:
- Profit Calculator: Calculate your net margin after deducting bol.com commission, shipping costs, and purchase price. Enter the EAN code and you'll see the commission percentage and your expected profit immediately.
- Sales Dashboard: Monitor your actual commission costs, revenue, and profit per product in real-time. Identify products with too low margins.
- Product Tracker: Follow products in categories with lower commission rates and discover profitable niches.
- Product Database: Search the complete bol.com assortment and filter by category to find products with favorable commission percentages.
- Automatic Invoicing: Receive automatically generated invoices with a detailed breakdown of your commission costs.
- LVB Box Size Checker: Calculate your LVB costs in advance, in addition to the standard commission.
Frequently asked questions about bol.com commission
What is the average bol.com commission?
The average bol.com commission is between 8% and 15% of the selling price, depending on the product category. The standard variable commission is 12.4% excluding VAT. On top of that, you pay a fixed commission of €0.20 to €2.48 per sold item. The exact commission varies per category: power tools are the lowest (4.1%) and jewelry is the highest (20.7%).
Can I negotiate the bol.com commission?
No, bol.com's commission rates are the same for all sellers and are not negotiable. This applies to both small and large sellers. However, bol.com sometimes offers temporary commission discounts for specific categories or actions. Keep an eye on the Partner platform for such offers.
Do I pay commission if an order is canceled?
No, if an order is canceled before shipping, no commission is charged. If a return is made after delivery, the previously charged commission is credited as soon as the return is processed. You only pay bol.com commission on actual completed sales.
How often does bol.com adjust the commission rates?
Bol.com typically updates its commission fees once or twice a year. Sellers are informed in advance via the Partner platform and email. It's a good idea to recalculate your margins with the Winstcalculator every time there's a change.
Does the commission differ for new versus existing sellers?
No, the bol.com commission is the same for all sellers, whether you're new or have been selling for years. There's no volume-based discount. The only difference might be temporary promotional discounts that bol.com offers for specific product categories or periods.
How can I view my total commission costs?
You can view your commission costs in the financial overview on the Partner platform. This provides a detailed breakdown per order, including fixed commission, variable commission, and any media surcharge. For a clearer picture, you can use Boloo's Sales Dashboard, which automatically tracks and analyzes your commission costs.
Is the bol.com commission inclusive or exclusive of VAT?
Bol.com's commission rates are always listed exclusive of VAT. In practice, you pay 21% VAT on top of the commission amount. So, with a variable commission of 12.4%, you effectively pay 15.0% including VAT. Keep this in mind when calculating your margins. As a VAT-liable entrepreneur, you can deduct the VAT on the commission from your VAT return, though.
Start free with Boloo
Use Boloo's tools to sell smarter on bol.com. Try it for free.
Try Boloo for free
