Bol Invoice: 2026 Guide

As a seller on bol.com, you inevitably have to deal with invoicing. Whether it's a bol invoice you receive from the platform or a sales invoice you need to create for a customer - having a good understanding of the invoicing process is essential for your business operations. In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about the bol invoice: from the different types of invoices to VAT calculation, legal requirements, common mistakes, and automation solutions.

What types of bol invoices are there?

When selling through bol.com, you have to deal with multiple types of invoices. It's crucial to understand the difference, as each type serves a different purpose in your administration and accounting.

Purchase invoice from bol.com

The purchase invoice is the document you receive from bol.com itself. This invoice contains the costs that bol.com charges you, such as commission fees, advertising costs, and any logistical costs (like LVB). You can find these invoices in your sales account under the 'Finances' menu item. These invoices are important for your VAT return because you can deduct the VAT on these costs as input tax.

Sales invoice for the customer

When a customer requests a bol invoice through the 'Request invoice' button in their bol.com account, you as the seller are responsible for providing it. This is a sales invoice that you create with your company details, the customer's details, the product, and the corresponding VAT calculation. This invoice must comply with the strict legal requirements of the Tax Authority.

Credit invoice for returns

In the event of a return, you need to create a credit invoice that corrects the original sale. This is essential for a correct VAT return. The credit invoice refers to the original invoice number and the bol order number, and contains the negative amount of the returned products.

Type of invoice	Who creates it?	For whom?	Where to find it?	VAT impact
Purchase invoice	Bol.com	You (seller)	Sales account → Finances	Input tax (deductible)
Sales invoice	You (seller)	The customer	Orders → Invoice requests	Output VAT (payable)
Credit invoice	You (seller)	The customer	Your own administration	Correction of output VAT
LVB invoice	Bol.com	You (seller)	Sales account → Finances	Input tax (deductible)

Legal requirements for a bol invoice

Every bol invoice you create as a seller must comply with the legal requirements of the Dutch Tax Authority. The absence of mandatory information can lead to fines or problems during an accounting audit. Below, you'll find all the mandatory elements.

Mandatory information on the invoice

• Your company details: company name, address, VAT number (NL number) and KvK number
• Customer details: name, address, and for business customers, also the VAT number
• Invoice number: a unique, consecutive number within your administration
• Invoice date: the date on which the invoice was drawn up
• Bol order number: the order number from the bol.com platform
• Product description: clear description per article
• Quantity and unit price: excluding VAT per product
• VAT percentage: 21% (standard), 9% (reduced), or 0% (exempt/intra-Community)
• VAT amount: stated separately per rate
• Total amount: including and excluding VAT

VAT rates and exceptions

Most products on bol.com fall under the standard VAT rate of 21%. Some product categories, such as books, food, and medical devices, fall under the reduced rate of 9%. For deliveries to business customers in other EU countries, the 0% rate (intra-Community delivery) may apply, provided the customer has a valid VAT number.

VAT rate	Percentage	Example products	Special features
Standard	21%	Electronics, clothing, household	Most common on bol.com
Reduced	9%	Books, food, medicines	Check per product category
Zero rate	0%	Export / intra-Community	Valid VAT number of the customer required
Exempt	0%	Medical services, education	Rarely applicable to bol sales

How to create a bol invoice manually?

Although manual invoicing is time-consuming, it's essential to understand the process. Below, we'll explain step by step how to create a correct bol invoice.

Step 1: Use a professional template

Start with a good invoice template that contains all the required fields. A professional invoice increases trust with customers and prevents you from forgetting required information. Make sure the template includes your company logo, contact details, and VAT number.

Step 2: Fill in the correct data

Take the customer data from the order in your bol account. Calculate the VAT carefully: the selling price on bol.com is always including VAT. To calculate the amount excluding VAT, divide the selling price by 1.21 (for 21% VAT) or by 1.09 (for 9% VAT). The difference is the VAT amount that you state separately on the invoice.

Step 3: Upload and respond to the invoice request

Go to 'Orders' → 'Invoice requests' in your sales account. Save your invoice as a PDF (preferably using the bol order number as the file name) and upload it to the relevant request. The status will then change to 'Processed'. Always respond within 5 working days - responding late damages your performance scores.

Common mistakes in bol invoicing

Many sellers make the same mistakes when processing a bol invoice. Avoiding these mistakes not only saves you time but also protects you from financial risks and performance score losses.

Mistake 1: Confusing purchase invoice with sales invoice

A common mistake among starting sellers is confusing the invoice you receive from bol.com (purchase invoice) with the invoice the customer requests from you (sales invoice). These are two completely different documents with a different purpose in your administration.

Mistake 2: Incorrect VAT calculation

Many sellers calculate VAT incorrectly because they forget that the bol sales price is inclusive of VAT. The VAT amount is therefore not 21% of the sales price, but 21/121 × sales price. For a product of €24.20, the VAT is €4.20 (not €5.08). A small difference per invoice, but it adds up quickly.

Mistake 3: Reacting too late to invoice requests

Bol.com measures your response time to invoice requests as part of your performance scores. Consistently responding late can lead to losing the buy block or even suspension of your sales account. Set a daily reminder or - even better - automate the process.

Mistake 4: Missing information on the invoice

Forgetting required information such as your VAT number, a unique invoice number, or the correct customer information leads to invalid invoices. This can cause problems during a tax audit. Always use a checklist or an automatic invoicing tool to prevent this.

Impact on performance scores and the buy block

Correctly and timely processing a bol invoice has a direct impact on your performance scores on bol.com. These scores determine your visibility and your right to the buy block - the coveted 'Add to cart' button that generates most sales.

Performance indicator	Bol.com standard	Consequence of not meeting
Invoice request response time	Within 5 working days	Lower performance scores
Invoice request processing	≥ 90% on time	Loss of buy block
Customer satisfaction with invoicing	No complaints	Negative reviews
Correctness of invoice data	100% compliant with the law	Fines from the tax authorities

An automatic invoicing solution ensures that invoice requests are always answered within a few seconds, keeping your performance scores at a maximum. Tools like Boloo Automatic Invoicing connect directly to your sales account and generate invoices as soon as a customer requests one.

Belgian customers and intra-Community deliveries

If you sell through bol.com Belgium, you have to deal with additional invoicing rules. Deliveries to Belgian consumers fall under Dutch VAT rules as long as you stay below the threshold of €10,000 in EU deliveries. Above that threshold, you must calculate Belgian VAT (21%) or register for the OSS scheme (One Stop Shop).

For deliveries to Belgian business customers with a valid VAT number, the 0% rate applies (intra-Community delivery). You then state on the invoice: "Intra-Community delivery - VAT shifted" along with the customer's VAT number. Always check VAT numbers via the VIES system of the European Commission.

Automatic invoicing: save time and avoid errors

As your sales volume grows, manual invoicing becomes a risk for your business. Every forgotten invoice request damages your performance scores, and every incorrect VAT calculation can be costly during an audit. Automatic invoicing solves both problems.

Benefits of automatic invoicing

• Answered immediately: Invoice requests are processed within seconds - your performance scores remain 100%
• Error-free: VAT is automatically calculated correctly based on the product and customer location
• Time-saving: Average of 2-4 hours per week saved with 50+ orders
• Scalable: Whether you have 10 or 10,000 orders per month - the system scales with you
• Accounting integration: Invoices are automatically exported to your accounting package

With Boloo's automatic invoicing, you can connect your bol account in just a few minutes. All invoice requests are then automatically answered with a legally correct VAT invoice. You'll never have to worry about it again.

Invoicing and Accounting Integration

An efficient administration requires that your bol invoices are seamlessly integrated into your accounting system. Modern invoicing tools offer connections to popular accounting packages like Exact Online, Moneybird, e-Boekhouden, and Snelstart. This way, both your sales invoices and bol.com purchase invoices are automatically booked.

When integrating, it's essential to create a separate general ledger account for bol.com sales, so you can analyze your revenue per sales channel. Also, make a distinction between different VAT rates and take into account the commission fees that bol.com charges. Use the Boloo Sales Dashboard to monitor your revenue and profitability per product in real-time.

Frequently Asked Questions about the bol Invoice

Do I always need to send an invoice when a customer requests one?

Yes, as an entrepreneur, you are legally required to provide an invoice when a customer requests one. This applies to both consumers and business customers. Always respond within 5 working days to protect your performance scores.

What if a customer wants an invoice for a returned product?

In the case of a return, you create a credit invoice that refers to the original invoice. The credit invoice contains the same products but with negative amounts. This corrects your VAT return and administration.

Can I reclaim the VAT on bol.com commission?

Yes, the VAT that bol.com charges on commission, advertising costs, and other services can be deducted as input tax in your VAT return. Always keep the purchase invoices from bol.com carefully in your administration.

How does invoicing work when selling through bol.com Belgium?

When selling to Belgian consumers, you charge Dutch VAT (up to the threshold of €10,000). Above the threshold, you use the OSS scheme or register for Belgian VAT. Business customers with a valid VAT number receive an invoice with 0% VAT (intra-Community supply).

What does automatic invoicing cost?

Automatic invoicing tools vary in price. With Boloo, automatic invoicing is included in the standard subscription from €29.95 per month. Given the time savings and error reduction, the investment pays for itself quickly.