LVB Costs: Complete 2026 Overview

What are LVB costs and how does Logistics via Bol work?

LVB costs are the fees charged by bol.com when you use Logistics via Bol (LVB) as a seller. With LVB, you send your stock to bol.com's warehouse, and they take over the entire logistics process: from storage and order picking to packaging, shipping, and return processing. This model is similar to Amazon FBA and gives sellers the opportunity to benefit from bol.com's fast delivery infrastructure.

The LVB costs consist of several components that together determine the total logistics investment. In this article, we provide a complete overview of all rates, compare LVB with own shipping, and share concrete tips to minimize your costs. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to directly check if your invoices are correct.

Overview of all LVB costs in 2026

The LVB costs are divided into four main categories: reception costs, storage costs, shipping costs, and return costs. Below, you'll find a detailed overview of each component.

1. Reception costs (inbound)

When you send your products to the LVB warehouse, you pay reception costs per item. Bol.com charges a fixed rate per received unit. It's essential to prepare your shipments well according to the LVB guidelines, as deviations will result in additional handling costs. Ensure each product has a unique barcode (EAN) and is correctly labeled.

2. Storage costs

Storage costs are calculated based on the volume your products occupy in the warehouse, measured per cubic meter per day. This is one of the LVB costs where sellers can save the most. Products that remain in stock for a long time without being sold (slow-movers) can significantly increase costs. Therefore, focus on products with a high turnover rate.

3. Shipping costs per order

The shipping costs are the largest part of the LVB costs and are determined by the dimensions and weight of the shipping package. Bol.com uses different categories based on the volume weight. The smaller and lighter your product, the lower the shipping costs.

4. Return costs

With LVB, bol.com also takes over the return process. Return costs are charged per return shipment. The advantage is that you don't have to set up your own return logistics, but the costs add up for products with a high return percentage. Monitor your returns via the Boloo Sales Dashboard to keep track of this.

Cost item	Rate (indicative 2026)	Calculation	Tip to save
Reception per item	€0,25 – €0,50	Per received unit	Bundle shipments, minimize individual deliveries
Storage	€6.50 – €9.00 per m³/month	Volume × days stored	Avoid slow-movers, optimize inventory levels
Shipping small package	€2,79 – €3,49	Per order based on size	Choose compact packaging design
Shipping medium-sized package	€3,49 – €4,99	Per order based on size	Check box size with LVB Checker
Shipping large package	€4,99 – €8,99	Per order based on size	Consider shipping large items yourself
Return processing	€0,50 – €1,50	Per return shipment	Improve product descriptions to reduce returns

LVB costs versus shipping yourself: the comparison

One of the most important questions for bol.com sellers is whether LVB costs outweigh shipping yourself. The real comparison is more complex than just comparing direct shipping costs. You also need to consider indirect costs and revenue.

Hidden costs of shipping yourself

When shipping yourself, you often forget to include the following costs in your calculation:

• Labor costs — Time for order picking, packing, and labeling (average 5–15 minutes per order)
• Packaging materials — Boxes, filling material, tape, and shipping labels
• Storage space — Rent or costs of your own storage location
• Transport to shipping service — Fuel and time to deliver packages
• Customer service — Time spent on shipping and delivery questions
• Return processing — Receiving, checking, and re-booking returns

Additional revenue with LVB

In addition to direct cost comparison, LVB also offers indirect revenue that you should consider:

• Higher conversion (average +30%) — More customers choose your offer due to faster delivery and late cut-off time of 23:00
• More chance of the buy block — Delivery speed is an important factor in Buy Box allocation
• No penalty points — With delayed shipping via LVB, bol.com is responsible, not you
• Time savings — More time to focus on purchasing, marketing, and growth

Factor	LVB (Logistics via Bol)	Shipping yourself
Shipping speed	Next day, ordered before 23:00	2–3 working days (ordered before 16:00)
Conversion impact	Average +30% higher conversion	Standard conversion
Buy block advantage	Significant advantage due to delivery speed	Disadvantage at equal price
Shipping costs per package	€2.79 – €8.99 (depending on size)	€3.95 – €13.00+ (depending on carrier)
Return responsibility	Bol.com	Seller
Customer service shipping	Bol.com	Seller
Scalability	Unlimited scalability	Limited by capacity
Packaging quality	Professional and recognizable	Varying, self-regulated

How are LVB costs calculated exactly?

Calculating your LVB costs requires insight into the volume weight of your products. Bol.com uses a specific formula to determine which shipping category your product falls into. This volume weight is calculated as: length × width × height (in cm) / 5000.

It is crucial that your products are classified in the correct category. A common problem is that bol.com charges for a larger shipping package than necessary, causing you to pay more than you need to. With the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker you can automatically check your invoices for incorrect box-size classifications. Many sellers save hundreds to thousands of euros per year by requesting a re-measurement.

Example LVB cost calculation

Let's say you sell a product with the following characteristics: dimensions 25 × 15 × 10 cm and weight 500 grams. The volume weight is then (25 × 15 × 10) / 5000 = 0.75 kg. This product falls into the category of 'small package' with a shipping rate of approximately €2.79 per order. With 100 orders per month, your monthly LVB shipping costs are approximately €279. Add storage costs to that and you have a complete picture.

Common mistakes in LVB costs

Many bol.com sellers make avoidable mistakes that unnecessarily increase their LVB costs. Here are the five most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Keeping slow-movers in stock

Products that sit in the warehouse for weeks or months without being sold generate continuous storage costs. Use the Boloo Product Tracker to analyze which products have a low turnover rate and consider returning or discounting them. discounting.

2. Not checking incorrect box-size classification

Bol.com measures your products upon receipt, but errors occur regularly. A product that belongs in the 'small' category but is classified as 'medium' costs you extra with each order. Check your invoices monthly with the LVB Box Size Checker.

3. Delivering too much stock at once

Although bulk delivery saves on receipt costs, you risk high storage costs if the stock doesn't sell quickly enough. Work with a just-in-time approach: deliver enough stock for 2–4 weeks of sales based on your sales data.

4. Not taking return percentage into account

In some categories, the return percentage can be as high as 20–30%. Each return not only costs you return processing but also extra storage costs and possibly re-shipping costs. Invest in better product descriptions and photos to reduce returns.

5. Not following LVB guidelines

If your shipments do not comply with the LVB delivery guidelines (wrong labels, missing barcodes, damaged packaging) bol.com charges extra handling costs. Prepare your shipments carefully according to the most recent guidelines.

Tips to lower your LVB costs

With the right strategy, you can significantly reduce your LVB costs without compromising service quality. Here are proven methods that successful sellers apply.

Optimize your packaging dimensions

Shipping costs are determined by the box-size category. By designing your product packaging as compact as possible, you can fall into a lower category. Even a few centimeters difference can make the difference between two tariff classes. Use the LVB Box Size Checker to see which category your product falls into.

Focus on products with high turnover rates

The golden rule for LVB: the faster your product sells, the lower your storage costs per unit. Use product research to select products with proven high sales speeds. Fast sellers are ideal for LVB; slow movers are better shipped by yourself.

Check your invoices systematically

Bol.com processes millions of products and billing errors occur regularly. Set up a monthly routine to check your LVB invoices. Pay particular attention to incorrect box-size classifications, double costs, and unjustified handling costs. Request a re-measurement when you notice discrepancies.

Use a hybrid fulfillment strategy

Not every product is suitable for LVB. Large, heavy, or slow-selling products are better shipped by yourself, while compact fast sellers are ideal for LVB. Monitor your commission costs and shipping costs per product to determine the optimal strategy per item.

Plan your inventory management with data

Use sales data and trends to deliver precisely the right amount of inventory. With the Boloo Sales Dashboard you analyze your sales speed per product, so you don't have too much or too little stock in the LVB warehouse.

When is LVB worth it?

LVB is not the best choice for every seller and every product. The ideal situation for LVB is when you have products with the following characteristics:

• Compact dimensions — Small to medium-sized products with low shipping costs per unit
• High turnover rate — At least 10–20 sales per week per product to keep storage costs low
• Low return rate — Products that are rarely returned maximize your margin
• Competitive market — In niches where delivery speed makes the difference for the buying block
• Growth ambition — LVB scales with you without having to scale your own logistics

Want to know if LVB is profitable for your products? Calculate the total cost per order (shipping + storage + return) and compare it to your current fulfillment costs, including labor. In many cases, the higher conversion rate of LVB will more than compensate for the cost difference.

LVB costs and their impact on your profit margin

To understand the real impact of LVB costs on your profit margin, you need to create a complete cost picture. Include all the following components in your calculation:

• Purchase price of the product
• Commission costs of bol.com (varies per category)
• LVB shipping costs (based on box size)
• LVB storage costs (based on volume and storage duration)
• Return costs (average return percentage × return processing)
• Receipt costs per unit

Use the Boloo Profit Calculator to accurately calculate your net margin per product, including all LVB costs. This way, you know exactly which products are profitable via LVB and which are better shipped through your own fulfillment.

Frequently asked questions about LVB costs

How often are LVB rates adjusted?

Bol.com usually adjusts the LVB rates once or twice a year, usually at the beginning of the year or halfway through the year. Keep an eye on the partner platform for announcements and adjust your calculations in time. Major rate changes are usually announced several months in advance.

Can I retrieve my LVB stock?

Yes, you can submit a return request via the partner platform to have your stock returned. However, this involves costs. This may be wise for products that sell poorly and generate high storage costs. Weigh the return costs against the ongoing storage costs.

What happens if bol.com loses my stock?

It can happen that products get lost in the warehouse. In that case, bol.com will compensate you for the lost stock based on the sales value. Keep your own inventory administration accurate so you can quickly identify and claim discrepancies.

Are there seasonal differences in LVB costs?

The basic rates are the same all year round, but during peak periods (Sinterklaas, Black Friday, Christmas) storage costs can increase faster because the warehouse is fuller. Plan your stock delivery strategically: do not deliver too early for seasonal products to avoid unnecessary storage costs.

Can I combine LVB with my own shipping?

Yes, many successful sellers use a hybrid model. You can choose per product whether to offer it via LVB or via your own shipping (VVB — Shipping via Bol, or entirely on your own). This gives you the flexibility to choose the most profitable option per product.