When you sell products via bol.com, you pay a commissie bol fee on every sale. This fee consists of a fixed and a variable part, and it differs per product category. In this in-depth article, we'll explain exactly how the commissie bol structure works, what rates apply per category, how to calculate the costs, and - even more importantly - how to reduce them to increase your profit margin.
How does the commission work at bol.com?
Bol.com charges a commission to cover the costs of maintaining and improving the platform. Think of marketing, logistical infrastructure, customer service, and technological development. As a seller, you benefit from bol.com's enormous reach - over 100 million visits per month - and search engine visibility. The commission is essentially your investment in that reach.
The commission always consists of two parts:
- Fixed commission: a fixed amount per sold item, depending on the selling price.
- Variable commission: a percentage of the selling price, depending on the product category.
In addition, as a seller, you always pay btw on your selling price. The commission is calculated on the selling price excluding btw. It's essential to include this in your profit calculation.
Fixed bol.com commission: rates per price class
The fixed commission charged by bol.com varies per price class. Bol.com has set it up this way to keep selling cheaper products attractive. Below, you'll find the complete overview:
| Selling price | Fixed commission (excl. btw) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €10.00 | €0.20 | Encouraging the sale of cheap items |
| €10.00 – €20.00 | €0.40 | Middle-class price range |
| Above €20.00 | €0.85 | Standard rate for more expensive products |
| Computers, phones, TVs, white goods, drones, large furniture (above €20) | €2.48 | Higher fixed commission for electronics and white goods |
| Books, games, music, movies | +€1.00 media surcharge | Extra surcharge on top of fixed and variable commission |
Note: btw is always included in the selling price for consumers. The fixed commission is calculated based on the selling price including btw, but the amount itself is excluding btw.
Variable commission per product category
In addition to the fixed commission, you pay a variable percentage on your selling price. The standard percentage is 12.4% excluding btw, but this varies greatly per category. Some categories have lower rates to attract sellers, while others have higher percentages.
| Product category | Variable commission (excl. VAT) | Attractiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Power tools | 4,1% | Very favorable |
| Pet food | 6,0% | Favorable |
| Computer & gaming accessories | 7,0% | Favorable |
| Gardening tools | 8,5% | Reasonable |
| Camping gear | 10,8% | Average |
| Standard (most categories) | 12,4% | Average |
| Fashion & sports (above €50) | 13,0% | Less favorable |
| Bedding | 14,1% | Less favorable |
| Beauty & care | 15,0% | Less favorable |
| Jewelry | 20,7% | Unfavorable |
Want to know the exact commission for your specific product? With the Boloo Profit Calculator, you can calculate exactly what you'll be left with after all costs in just a few clicks.
Examples: what's your take-home pay?
To make the commission structure more concrete, we'll work out three examples for different price classes. This way, you can see exactly what you'll be left with after deducting VAT and commissie bol.
Example 1: product under €10
You're selling a phone case for €8,95.
- VAT (21%): €1,55
- Fixed commission: €0,20
- Variable commission (12,4%): €1,11
- Total costs: €2,86
- Net revenue: €6,09
Example 2: product €10 – €20
You're selling a cookbook for €17,50.
- VAT (21%): €3,04
- Fixed commission: €0,40
- Variable commission (12,4%): €2,17
- Total costs: €5,61
- Net revenue: €11,89
Example 3: product above €20
You're selling a wireless speaker for €69,95.
- VAT (21%): €12,14
- Fixed commission: €0,85
- Variable commission (12,4%): €8,67
- Total costs: €21,66
- Net revenue: €48,29
As you can see, the commission can add up - especially for products with a high variable percentage. Use the Profit Calculator to calculate beforehand whether a product is profitable enough before you start purchasing it.
What does bol.com use the commission for?
Bol.com is transparent about how it uses the commission it receives. As a seller, you indirectly benefit from these investments:
- Reach: Bol.com reaches around 10 million unique visitors every month with over 100 million visits. The commission funds marketing and growth of this reach.
- Findability: Significant investments in SEO ensure that bol.com pages rank high in Google. Your products benefit from this. Want to rank higher yourself? Check out the Keyword Explorer.
- Visibility and promotion: TV commercials, social media campaigns, and seasonal actions (like the Bol.com Deals Days) attract buyers to the platform.
- Platform updates: New features are continuously launched to improve the shopping experience - ultimately increasing your conversion rate.
- Financial handling: Bol.com takes over the risk of non-paying customers and offers various payment options.
- Customer service: A dedicated team answers buyers' questions, building trust and preventing returns.
Commission on returns
A frequently asked question: do you also pay commission if a customer returns the product? The answer is no. As soon as a return is processed, the charged commission is credited. You only pay commission on completed sales.
However, it's essential to set up your return policy correctly and make your product listings as accurate as possible. High return rates not only cost you commission (which you'll get back later), but also shipping costs and time.
Additional costs for Logistiek via Bol (LvB)
Are you using Logistiek via Bol (LvB)? Then, in addition to the regular commission, you also pay fulfillment costs. These costs include:
- Fulfillment costs: For receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping your products. Rates vary by format and weight.
- Storage costs: Monthly costs based on the volume of your products in the fulfillment center. In busy periods (like December), these rates may increase.
- Label costs: If bol.com needs to label your products, you pay €0.19 per item.
Want to know if LvB is financially interesting for your assortment? Use the LvB Box Size Checker to calculate your fulfillment costs.
8 tips to lower your commission costs
Although you can't negotiate the commissie bol percentages, there are smart strategies to increase your net profit:
1. Check the product category
Make sure your product is in the right category. Incorrect categorization can lead to unnecessary higher commission. Check this via the Partner Platform under 'Assortment'.
2. Focus on favorable categories
Consider selling products in categories with lower commission percentages, such as power tools (4.1%) or pet food (6.0%), instead of jewelry (20.7%).
3. Optimize your selling price
A higher selling price means a higher variable commission amount, but also a higher absolute margin. Find the sweet spot between competitive prices and a healthy profit margin. The Sales Dashboard helps you with this.
4. Bundle products
By bundling products, you only pay fixed commission once instead of multiple times. This saves you especially with cheaper items.
5. Lower your return percentage
Fewer returns mean lower shipping costs and a better service score. Invest in high-quality product photos and accurate descriptions with the AI Listing Generator.
6. Use commission discounts
Bol.com sometimes offers temporary commission discounts for specific categories. Keep an eye on the Partner platform for such actions.
7. Calculate everything in advance
Use the Boloo Profit Calculator to calculate before purchasing whether a product is profitable after all costs (purchase price, commission, shipping, VAT).
8. Monitor your performance
Track your commission costs, turnover, and profit per product via a dashboard. This way, you can quickly spot which products are too expensive and which ones deserve your focus.
Commission bol vs. other platforms
How does the commission of bol.com compare to other sales platforms? Here's a general overview:
| Platform | Commission (indicative) | Fixed costs | Reach NL/BE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bol.com | 4.1% – 20.7% | €0.20 – €2.48 per item | Very large |
| Amazon.nl | 7% – 15% | €39/month (professional) | Growing |
| Etsy | 6.5% | €0.18 per listing | Small (niche) |
| Own webshop | 0% (only payment costs ~2%) | Hosting + maintenance | Own marketing needed |
The major advantage of bol.com is its enormous reach in the Netherlands and Belgium. Although the commission may be higher than with an own webshop, you don't need to do your own marketing to reach customers. For most sellers, the combination of reach and ease is well worth the commission.
Frequently asked questions about bol commission
Can I negotiate the commission with bol.com?
No, the commission rates are fixed and the same for all sellers. Bol.com does adjust the rates periodically - keep an eye on the updates on the Partner platform.
Do I pay commission on shipping costs?
No, the commission is only calculated on the product price, not on any shipping costs you charge.
When is the commission deducted?
The commission is automatically settled with your payout. You will receive the sales amount minus the commission and VAT. The payout usually takes place weekly.
How do I find the exact commission for my product?
You can view the commission per product on the Partner platform. Additionally, you can use the Boloo Profit Calculator to calculate the commission based on the EAN code or product category.
Does the commission change if I adjust my price?
The fixed commission only changes if your sales price reaches a different price class (under €10, €10-€20, above €20). The variable percentage remains the same, but the absolute amount changes with the price.
Conclusion: control over your bol.com commission
The bol commission structure is clear but complex enough to make mistakes - especially if you sell many products in different categories. By calculating in advance, choosing the right categories, and accurately calculating your commission, you avoid surprises and maximize your profit. Use tools like the Profit Calculator and the Sales Dashboard to always keep control over your costs and margins.
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