When selling on bol.com, shipping via bol.com is one of the most important decisions you'll make. The right shipping method determines not only your costs and margins but also your customer satisfaction, delivery reliability, and ultimately your sales performance. In this comprehensive guide, we compare all shipping options, discuss current rates, and provide practical tips to optimize your logistics.
The three shipping methods on bol.com explained
Bol.com offers sellers three ways to deliver products to customers. Each method has unique benefits and limitations that suit different types of sellers and business sizes. Whether you're a starting seller or an established company with hundreds of orders per day, understanding these options is essential for a successful logistics strategy.
Logistics via bol.com (LVB)
With Logistics via bol.com (LVB), you send your stock to bol.com's distribution center. They then take over the complete handling: storage, packaging, shipping, return handling, and even customer service for delivery questions. This is ideal for sellers who want to focus on purchasing, marketing, and growth instead of daily logistical tasks.
Important benefits of LVB include that poor performance by the carrier does not affect your sales account performance. If DHL or PostNL delivers late, it won't affect your service standard. Additionally, customers can choose evening delivery, delivery on a specific day, or delivery to a pickup point. Lost shipments are reimbursed up to 75% of the sales price.
Shipping via bol.com (VVB)
With Shipping via bol.com (VVB), you keep your own stock in your warehouse or storage space and use the carriers offered by bol.com: DHL and PostNL. You deliver your packages to a drop-off point by 5:00 PM. The advantage is that you have full control over your stock and shipping process. You decide when and where you deliver your packages.
VVB is suitable for sellers who have their own storage space and want to maintain control. The shipping rates are higher than with LVB, but you don't have storage costs at bol.com and don't need to send your stock to their warehouse.
Shipping via bol.com+ (VVB+)
VVB+ is an extended version of VVB, specifically designed for sellers who ship more than 20 packages per day (with relatively few mailbox packages). The major advantage is the delivery promise “ordered before 23:59, delivered the next day”, which can significantly increase conversion rates. Customers are more convinced by this fast delivery guarantee.
With VVB+, you deliver packages to an Ampère point by 10:00 AM, or you have them picked up by the courier. The rates are the same as standard VVB. Note: customers cannot choose evening delivery or delivery to a specific pickup address with VVB+.
Comparison: LVB vs. VVB vs. VVB+ when shipping via bol.com
| Feature | LVB | VVB | VVB+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Bol.com warehouse | Own warehouse | Own warehouse |
| Shipping by | Bol.com | DHL / PostNL (self-delivery) | DHL / PostNL (pickup service) |
| Storage costs at bol.com | Yes (per m³ per month) | No | No |
| Next-day delivery promise | Yes | No | Yes |
| Evening delivery possible | Yes | No | No |
| Pickup point delivery | Yes | No | No |
| Customer service by bol.com | Yes (delivery questions) | No | No |
| Carrier performance counts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum daily volume | None | None | 20+ packages/day |
| Suitable for | All sellers | Sellers with own storage | Large sellers (20+ orders/day) |
| Return handling | Through bol.com | Handle yourself | Handle yourself |
| Mail possible | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Belgium delivery | Yes | No | No |
Current shipping rates on bol.com (2026)
Shipping costs vary greatly per method, package size, and weight. Below you'll find an overview of the most important rates. Keep in mind that these prices include VAT and that bol.com can adjust these rates periodically.
| Package type | LVB rate | VVB / VVB+ rate | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailbox package | €2,79 | €4,15 | Max 38 × 26.5 × 3.2 cm, max 2 kg |
| Small package (< 10 kg) | €3,99 | €6,95 | Standard package format |
| Medium-sized package (10-23 kg) | €5,49 | €13,20 | Up to 23 kg, standard dimensions |
| Large package (> 23 kg) | On request | On request | Custom rates |
| Extra large / furniture | Not available | On request | Special handling required |
| LVB storage costs | €16,50 per m³/month | N/A | Seasonal surcharge in Q4 possible |
Use the Boloo Profit Calculator to calculate your margins exactly after deducting shipping costs, commission, and other bol.com costs. This way, you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Calculating shipping costs in your selling price
When shipping via bol.com, shipping costs are not shown separately to the customer. You must therefore include them in your selling price. This has direct consequences for your competitive position and your price scores.
What are price scores?
Bol.com calculates a price score for each product based on your price relative to competitors. A score of four or five stars means you offer a sharp price-quality ratio. Five stars mean you offer the best price compared to other sellers. This score affects your visibility in search results and your chance of getting the buy block.
Because shipping costs for LVB are lower than for VVB, you can use LVB to charge a lower selling price and thus achieve a higher price score. This is one of the most important strategic advantages of LVB. Use the Boloo Ranking Checker to monitor how your price scores affect your position.
Calculating the selling price including shipping
To calculate your selling price correctly, add the following costs to your purchase price: bol.com commission (varies per category, averaging 10-15%), shipping costs (depending on method and package size), potential storage costs (only for LVB), return costs (averaging 5-10% of your orders), and your desired profit margin. The Winstcalculator helps you make this calculation automatically.
Important rules for shipping via bol.com
Bol.com has strict shipping rules that you as a seller must know and follow:
- No extra shipping costs: You can never charge the customer for shipping costs afterwards. The price on the product page is all-inclusive.
- Free returns: Customers can return products for free. The return costs are always at the expense of the seller.
- Price consistency: You cannot charge a higher price on bol.com than on your own webshop (including shipping costs).
- Delivery time: You must keep your delivery promise. Repeatedly delivering late leads to sanctions on your account.
- Packaging guidelines: Use proper packaging. Damaged products due to poor packaging are your responsibility.
Optimizing shipping costs: 7 practical tips
1. Choose the right shipping method per product
Not every product is suitable for the same shipping method. Small, fast-moving products are ideal for LVB. Large or seasonal products are better shipped via VVB. Analyze per product group what is most profitable.
2. Check your LVB dimensions
Bol.com calculates LVB costs based on the dimensions they measure upon arrival. This may differ from your own measurements, causing you to unknowingly pay too much. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to check after each invoice whether the charged dimensions are correct. In case of differences, you can request a re-measurement and reclaim costs.
3. Optimize your packaging
Use the smallest possible packaging that safely protects your product. The difference between a mailbox package (€2.79 LVB) and a small package (€3.99 LVB) is €1.20 per order. With 1000 orders per month, smarter packaging saves you €1200.
4. Monitor your shipping performance
Track your delivery reliability, return ratio, and customer satisfaction via your Boloo Sales Dashboard. Poor shipping performance leads to a lower position in search results and less chance of getting the buy block.
5. Calculate margins in advance
Many sellers forget to include shipping costs in their margin calculation. Use the Winstcalculator to calculate exactly per product whether you still make a profit after all costs. Especially for products with low margins, the choice between LVB and VVB can make the difference between profit and loss.
6. Combine LVB and VVB strategically
You don't have to choose the same method for all your products. Send your top 20 best-selling products to LVB for fast delivery and low costs, and ship niche products or heavy items via VVB. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds.
7. Automate your invoicing
With large volumes, manually tracking shipping costs is impossible. The Boloo Automatische Facturatie automatically processes all bol.com invoices and gives you real-time insight into your shipping costs per product, per month, and per shipping method.
Common mistakes when shipping via bol.com
| Error | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping costs not included in selling price | Negative margins, loss per sale | Use the Profit Calculator for each product |
| Incorrect package dimensions at LVB | Higher costs than expected | Check with LVB Box Size Checker |
| Delivering too late to the delivery point | Delayed delivery, lower service standard | Deliver packages before 17:00 (VVB) or 10:00 (VVB+) |
| Return costs not taken into account | Unexpectedly high costs with popular returns | Calculate 5-10% return percentage in your margin |
| Shipping all products via the same method | Suboptimal costs and delivery speed | Use a hybrid LVB/VVB strategy per product group |
| Not prepared for seasonal peaks | Stock shortages at LVB, late deliveries | Send LVB stock 4-6 weeks before peak periods |
When do you choose which shipping method?
The choice between LVB, VVB, and VVB+ depends on several factors. Here are concrete guidelines for different situations:
- Starting seller (< 50 orders/month): Start with VVB to learn your processes. Switch to LVB once your top products sell steadily.
- Growing seller (50-500 orders/month): Use LVB for your bestsellers and VVB for slow-moving items. This optimizes costs and delivery time.
- Large seller (> 500 orders/month): Consider VVB+ for volume and combine with LVB for products that benefit from the delivery promise and pickup point delivery.
- Seller of large/heavy products: VVB is often the only option. Negotiate directly with carriers for bulk rates.
- International sales (Belgium): LVB is the easiest way to deliver to Belgium via bol.com.
Use the Boloo Product Tracker to analyze which products benefit most from faster delivery and adjust your shipping strategy accordingly.
Returns and shipping costs
Returns are unavoidable in online sales and have a direct impact on your shipping costs. With LVB, bol.com handles return processing, saving you time and effort. With VVB and VVB+, you need to set up your own return process.
On average, 5-10% of all orders on bol.com are returned, but this varies greatly per category. Clothing and shoes have return rates of up to 30%, while electronics are around 3-5%. Always calculate return costs in your margin calculation. The Sales Dashboard of Boloo gives you insight into your return rates per product, so you can adjust your shipping strategy accordingly.
An effective way to reduce returns is to optimize your product pages. Use the AI Listing Generator to create accurate product descriptions that set clear expectations for customers. The better the product information, the less disappointment upon receipt and the lower your return rate. This also indirectly reduces your total shipping costs.
Frequently asked questions about shipping via bol.com
What is cheaper: LVB or VVB?
For most products, LVB is cheaper in terms of shipping rates. A mailbox package costs via LVB €2.79 versus €4.15 with VVB. However, consider the storage costs at LVB (€16.50 per m³/month). For fast-selling products with small formats, LVB is almost always more advantageous. For slow-moving or large products, VVB may be cheaper.
Can I combine LVB and VVB?
Yes, you can choose the shipping method per product. Many successful sellers use a hybrid strategy: LVB for bestsellers and VVB for niche products or seasonal items. This is the recommended approach for optimal costs and customer satisfaction.
What happens if my LVB stock runs out?
If your LVB stock runs out, your product will be shown as “not available” - you'll lose the buy box. Keep a close eye on your stock levels and send new stock to the bol.com warehouse in time. The Product Tracker can help you monitor stock levels.
How long does it take to register LVB stock?
After sending in your stock, it usually takes three to five working days for your products to become available in the bol.com warehouse. Take this into account, especially for seasonal peaks. Send your LVB stock at least four to six weeks before expected peak periods (Sinterklaas, Christmas, Black Friday).
Are there any extra costs for returns with LVB?
With LVB, return shipments are included in the handling - bol.com processes the return and puts the product (if undamaged) back into your stock. You don't pay a separate return fee, but any damaged products won't be returned. With VVB, you bear the return shipping costs yourself, which typically cost around €4-7 per return.
Discover LVB Box-size Checker
See how LVB Box-size Checker can help you sell smarter on bol.com.
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