When selling on bol.com, bol.com shipping costs are one of the key factors that determine your profit margin. Every euro you overpay for shipping goes directly to your loss. In this article, we'll outline all the shipping rates for 2026, compare the three shipping methods (LVB, VVB, and VVB+), and provide concrete tips to lower your shipping costs.
What shipping methods are available for bol.com shipping costs?
Bol.com offers three shipping methods for sellers, each with its own rates and benefits. The choice you make has a direct impact on your bol.com shipping costs, your service level, and your performance scores as a seller.
1. Logistics via Bol.com (LVB)
With LVB, you send your stock to bol.com's distribution center. They take care of the entire logistics process: storage, picking, packing, shipping, and returns. You pay a fixed amount per order plus storage costs per cubic meter. The major advantage is that you're not held responsible for the carrier's performance - if DHL or PostNL delivers late, it won't affect your sales account. Use the LVB Box Size Checker to ensure bol.com uses the correct dimensions and avoid overpaying.
2. Shipping via Bol.com (VVB)
With VVB, you store your stock yourself and use the carriers that bol.com partners with (DHL and PostNL). You deliver your packages to a drop-off point before 5:00 PM. The rates are fixed amounts per package, depending on weight and size. You're responsible for timely delivery and customer satisfaction around shipping.
3. Shipping via Bol.com+ (VVB+)
VVB+ offers additional benefits on top of VVB. You benefit from the delivery promise "ordered before 11:59 PM, delivered the next day" and can have packages picked up by the courier instead of dropping them off yourself. VVB+ is particularly interesting if you ship more than 20 packages per day. Note: customers can't choose evening delivery or a pickup point with VVB+.
Overview of bol.com shipping costs per method (2026)
The table below shows the current bol.com shipping costs per shipping method and package type. Note that rates include VAT and may change - always check the partner platform for the most up-to-date rates.
| Package type | VVB (self-delivery) | VVB+ (pickup) | LVB (bol.com handles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letterbox package (max 3.2 cm) | €4,15 | €4,15 | €3,24 |
| Small package (up to 3 kg) | €4,55 | €4,55 | €3,90 |
| Package up to 10 kg | €6,95 | €6,95 | €5,25 |
| Package up to 23 kg | €13,20 | €13,20 | €6,50 |
| Large package (up to 31.5 kg) | €13,20 | €13,20 | €9,45 |
| Extra large/heavy package | Custom | Custom | €12,90+ |
As you can see, LVB rates are lower across the board, especially for heavier packages. The difference for a package up to 23 kg is €6.70 per order - for 100 orders per month, that's a savings of €670. Calculate your actual shipping costs accurately with the Profit Calculator so you know exactly what's left over.
LVB vs. VVB vs. VVB+: which method suits you?
The choice of the right shipping method depends on your volume, storage capacity, and desired control. Below is a comparison:
| Criteria | LVB | VVB | VVB+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own storage needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Shipping rates | Lowest | Standard | Standard |
| Storage costs | Yes (per m³/month) | No (own storage) | No (own storage) |
| Delivery promise "next day at home" | Yes | No | Yes |
| Evening delivery possible | Yes | No | No |
| Pick-up point delivery | Yes | No | No |
| Belgium shipping | Yes | Arrange yourself | Arrange yourself |
| Return handling | Bol.com | Yourself | Yourself |
| Influence on sales account | Minimal | High | Average |
| Courier pick-up service | N/A | No | Yes (Ampère point) |
| Suitable for volume | All volumes | Low to medium | >20 packages/day |
Calculating bol.com shipping costs in your selling price
A common mistake is that sellers do not adequately factor in shipping costs into their selling price. On bol.com, it's not possible to display shipping costs separately from the product price - your selling price is always inclusive of shipping. This means that when calculating your margin, you need to take into account:
- Purchase price of your product
- Bol.com commission (varies per category, average 8–15%)
- Shipping costs (dependent on weight and method)
- Return costs (you can never pass return costs on to customers)
- LVB storage costs (if applicable)
- Packaging materials (boxes, filling material, tape)
Use the Boloo Profit Calculator to automatically include all these costs and calculate your net profit margin per product. This way, you avoid selling at a loss unintentionally.
Price star scores and the impact of shipping costs
Bol.com calculates price star scores for many products based on your selling price relative to competitors. The better your score (up to 5 stars), the more favorable your position in the search results. Since your shipping costs are included in your selling price, they indirectly determine your price star scores. A higher shipping method (VVB vs LVB) means higher costs, forcing you to choose between a higher selling price or a lower margin.
Sellers using LVB have a cost advantage that they can translate into a sharper selling price and higher price star scores. Monitor your scores and those of competitors via the Ranking Checker dashboard.
Hidden costs and common mistakes
Besides the standard bol.com shipping costs, there are hidden costs that many sellers encounter:
Incorrect dimensions with LVB
Bol.com measures your products upon arrival at the distribution center. If the measured dimensions differ from what you specified, you pay a higher rate. This happens more often than you think - packaging materials, protruding labels, or slightly different boxes can lead to a higher category classification. Check your invoices with the LVB Box Size Checker and request a re-measurement if the dimensions are incorrect.
Underestimating return costs
With VVB and VVB+, you pay the return costs yourself. Depending on your product category, the return percentage can be as high as 20–30% (especially with clothing and shoes). With LVB, bol.com takes care of return handling, but costs are still charged per return shipment. Always include a realistic return percentage in your calculation.
Storage costs for slow-moving inventory
At LVB, you pay storage costs per cubic meter per month. Products that sell slowly take up storage capacity and cost you money without generating revenue. Bol.com also charges long-term storage fees for products that have been in the warehouse for more than a certain period. Monitor your inventory turnover via the Sales Dashboard.
8 tips to lower your bol.com shipping costs
- Optimize your packaging - Choose the smallest possible box. The difference between a mailbox package (€4.15 at VVB) and a package up to 10 kg (€6.95) is €2.80 per order.
- Consider LVB for your best-selling products - The lower rates and higher conversion due to the "next-day delivery" promise often more than compensate for the storage costs.
- Check LVB invoices - Use the LVB Box Size Checker to spot incorrect dimensions and request remeasurements. This can save you hundreds of euros per month.
- Bundling orders - When shipping multiple products to one customer, you can sometimes send one package instead of two separate shipments.
- Negotiate rates - With high volume (500+ packages/month), you can request customized rates from DHL and PostNL that are lower than the standard VVB rates.
- Use the right carrier - DHL is often more advantageous for mailbox packages, PostNL for larger packages. Compare per product.
- Reduce returns - Better product photos, detailed descriptions, and size charts lower your return percentage. Use the Listing Generator AI for optimized product pages.
- Continuously monitor your margins - Shipping rates change periodically. Set up alerts via the Sales Dashboard so you can adjust immediately.
Shipping to Belgium: extra costs and considerations
If you also sell to Belgian customers, you need to take into account additional shipping costs. With LVB, bol.com automatically handles delivery in Belgium at a slightly higher rate than domestic shipments. With VVB and VVB+, you need to arrange a carrier for international shipping yourself, which can be significantly more expensive.
Belgium represents around 15-20% of bol.com's traffic, so it's a market you don't want to miss. Calculate in advance whether the extra shipping costs outweigh the extra revenue, and consider LVB specifically for products that sell a lot in Belgium.
Step-by-step plan: choosing the right shipping method
Choosing the optimal shipping method is a strategic decision. Follow this step-by-step plan to make the best choice for your situation:
Step 1: Take stock of your current situation
Map out how many orders you process per month, what the average weight and dimensions of your products are, and whether you have your own storage space. This basic data determines which shipping method is most advantageous.
Step 2: Calculate costs per scenario
Make a calculation for each scenario (LVB, VVB, and VVB+) with your actual product data. Include storage costs, return percentage, and packaging costs. The Profit Calculator helps you make an accurate comparison.
Step 3: Weigh indirect benefits
LVB offers benefits that can't be directly expressed in euros: the delivery promise "next-day delivery" increases your conversion rate, your sales account is not charged for delayed deliveries, and you save time because bol.com takes care of return handling. These factors can make a difference, especially as you grow.
Step 4: Start hybrid and optimize
Many successful sellers combine LVB and VVB. They use LVB for best-selling products where higher conversion and lower rates deliver the most, and VVB for niche items with low sales volume where storage costs at LVB don't outweigh the benefit. Analyze your Sales Dashboard monthly to determine which products are better shipped via the other method.
Seasonal impact on shipping costs
Shipping costs are not the same all year round. During busy periods like Black Friday, Sinterklaas, and Christmas, volume increases exponentially. This affects both LVB and VVB sellers. With LVB, the storage capacity in bol.com's warehouse may be limited, so you need to deliver stock earlier. With VVB, you risk long queues at delivery points and delayed deliveries.
Plan your inventory management at least 6-8 weeks before peak periods. Ensure you have sufficient stock with bol.com if you use LVB, and consider temporary extra courier pick-up rounds if you use VVB+. Track your inventory levels and sales speed via the Product Tracker so you never run out of stock during the busiest weeks.
Frequently asked questions about bol.com shipping costs
Can I pass on shipping costs to my customers?
No, on bol.com, it's not allowed to charge shipping costs separately. Your selling price is always inclusive of shipping. You're also never allowed to charge extra costs afterwards. So, always factor shipping costs into your selling price.
What's more advantageous: LVB or VVB?
For most sellers, LVB is more advantageous in terms of shipping rates, especially for packages heavier than 3 kg. However, consider the storage costs with LVB. For sellers with low volume and their own storage space, VVB can be beneficial because there are no storage costs.
How often do shipping rates change?
Bol.com adjusts shipping rates on average one to two times a year, usually in January and July. Check the partner platform regularly and adjust your selling prices when rates increase.
Can I combine LVB and VVB?
Yes, you can choose per product whether to use LVB or VVB. Many sellers use LVB for their best-selling products and VVB for slower-moving items or products that are too large for the LVB warehouse.
What are the return costs on bol.com?
With VVB, you pay the return costs (equal to the outgoing shipping costs). With LVB, bol.com uses a return allowance per product. You're never allowed to pass on return costs to consumers - this is not legally permitted for online purchases within the EU.
How do I check if bol.com is using the correct dimensions?
Compare the dimensions on your LVB invoice with the actual dimensions of your product. Use Boloo's LVB Box Size Checker to do this automatically. If there are discrepancies, you can request a remeasurement via the partner platform.
How much does it cost to ship via bol.com to Belgium?
With LVB, you pay a surcharge of around €1.50-€2.50 per shipment to Belgium on top of the standard rate, depending on the package format. With VVB, you need to arrange an international carrier yourself, which can cost €8-€15 per package. Include these costs in your selling price for Belgian customers.
When should I switch from VVB to LVB?
Consider switching when you process more than 50 orders per month, your return percentage is higher than 10%, or you're having trouble getting all packages to the delivery point on time. At this volume, the lower LVB rates and time savings more than compensate for the storage costs.
Mastering your bol.com shipping costs is crucial for a profitable sales business. By choosing the right shipping method, optimizing your packaging, and checking your invoices, you can save hundreds of euros per month. Use Boloo to automatically calculate and monitor all your logistics costs. Also, check out our articles on bol.com shipping costs and LVB costs for more details.
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