Shipping via bol.com rates are one of the most important cost factors for every bol.com seller. The choice between shipping yourself, shipping via bol.com (VVB) or logistics via bol.com (LVB) directly affects your profit margin, customer satisfaction, and sales performance. In this comprehensive guide, we provide a complete overview of all shipping rates, compare the three shipping methods, and share strategies to reduce your shipping costs.
Overview of shipping methods on bol.com
As a bol.com seller, you have three options for shipping orders. Each method has its own rates, advantages, and disadvantages. It's crucial to make the right choice based on your product assortment, shipping volume, and business strategy.
| Feature | LVB (Logistics via Bol) | VVB (Shipping via Bol) | VVB+ (Shipping via Bol+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory storage | At bol.com's warehouse | Your own storage | Your own storage |
| Carrier | Bol.com takes care of everything | DHL or PostNL (your choice) | DHL or PostNL |
| Delivery promise | Next-day delivery | Depends on drop-off | Ordered before 23:59, delivered the next day |
| Mailbox package | From €2,39 | €4,15 incl. VAT | €4,15 incl. VAT |
| Package up to 10 kg | From €3,59 | €6,95 incl. VAT | €6,95 incl. VAT |
| Package up to 23 kg | From €5,09 | €13,20 incl. VAT | €13,20 incl. VAT |
| Customer service | Handled by bol.com | Handled by the seller | Handled by the seller |
| Returns | Handled by bol.com | Handled by the seller | Handled by the seller |
| Minimum volume | No minimum | No minimum | >20 packages/day |
| Pick-up service | N/A | No (self-delivery) | Yes (Ampère point, before 10:00) |
Detailed rates per shipping method
The exact shipping via bol.com rates vary per method and weight class. Below, you'll find a detailed breakdown so you can accurately calculate the shipping costs for your products.
LVB rates (Logistics via Bol.com)
With Logistics via bol.com (LVB), you send your inventory to bol.com's warehouse. They handle the entire shipping process, including customer service and returns. The rates are generally lower than VVB because bol.com has scale advantages by processing millions of packages per year.
| Weight class | Dimensions (max) | Rate (incl. VAT) | Storage costs/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailbox package | 38 × 26,5 × 3,2 cm | €2,39 | €0,19 per item |
| Small package (≤3 kg) | 50 × 40 × 20 cm | €3,59 | €0,38 per item |
| Standard package (≤10 kg) | 60 × 50 × 40 cm | €4,29 | €0,57 per item |
| Large package (≤23 kg) | 100 × 60 × 50 cm | €5,09 | €0,76 per item |
| Extra large (≤31,5 kg) | 120 × 80 × 60 cm | €6,49 | €1,14 per item |
Be aware: in addition to shipping costs, you also pay monthly storage costs with LVB. These are calculated per item per month. Products that remain in the warehouse for more than 6 months incur higher storage costs (long-tail storage fee). Calculate all your LVB costs in advance with the Boloo Winstcalculator to avoid unpleasant surprises. You can find more information about all LVB costs in our comprehensive LVB cost guide.
VVB rates (Shipping via Bol.com)
With Shipping via bol.com (VVB), you store the stock yourself and bring the packages to a DHL or PostNL drop-off point. You must hand in orders before 5:00 PM so they can be shipped with the courier on the same day.
| Weight class | Rate (incl. VAT) | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Mailbox package | €4,15 | PostNL |
| Package up to 10 kg | €6,95 | DHL / PostNL |
| Package up to 23 kg | €13,20 | DHL / PostNL |
| Package up to 31.5 kg | €16,50 | DHL |
VVB rates are higher than LVB, but you save on storage costs and have full control over your stock. This is ideal for sellers with their own warehouse or workspace who want to maintain control over the shipping process.
VVB+ rates (Shipping via Bol.com+)
Shipping via bol.com+ (VVB+) is an extended version of VVB, intended for sellers who ship at least 20 packages per day. The shipping rates are the same as VVB, but you get additional benefits:
- Delivery promise "ordered before 23:59, delivered the next day" — this significantly increases your conversion rate
- Pick-up service via Ampère points — hand in your packages before 10:00 AM and the courier will pick them up
- Longer cut-off time (until 23:59) for customers to place orders
The downside of VVB+ is that customers cannot choose evening delivery or delivery to a pick-up address or office address. Additionally, you must consistently meet the minimum volume of 20 packages per day.
LVB vs. VVB vs. VVB+: which method is the most advantageous?
The cheapest shipping method depends on your situation. Below, we compare the total costs for three common scenarios:
| Scenario | LVB total costs | VVB total costs | VVB+ total costs | Most advantageous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mailbox packages/day | €23,90 + storage | €41,50 | Not available (<20/day) | LVB |
| 25 standard packages/day | €107,25 + storage | €173,75 | €173,75 + pick-up service | LVB |
| 5 large packages/day | €25,45 + storage | €66,00 | Not available (<20/day) | LVB |
| 50 mixed packages/day | €200–250 + storage | €350–450 | €350–450 + pick-up | LVB (but VVB+ for conversion) |
LVB is almost always cheaper in terms of shipping costs, but add the storage costs. For products that sell quickly (high turnover), LVB is almost always the best choice. For slow-moving products or products with large dimensions, VVB may be more advantageous. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to check if bol.com uses the correct dimensions — incorrect dimensions lead to higher costs.
Hidden costs when shipping via bol.com
In addition to the standard shipping rates, there are extra costs that many sellers don't think of immediately:
Return costs
On bol.com, you can never charge return costs to the customer. As a seller, you bear all return costs yourself. At LVB, returns are handled by bol.com (free for the customer, at your expense). With VVB, you need to provide return labels and pay the costs. The average return rate on bol.com is between 3% and 15%, depending on the product category.
Packaging costs
With VVB and VVB+, you are responsible for packaging materials yourself. Budget €0.20–€1.50 per package, depending on the size. At LVB, bol.com packs the product for you, but you must deliver it to the warehouse in suitable packaging.
Storage at LVB
Storage costs at LVB increase the longer your products stay in the warehouse. After 6 months, higher rates apply (long-tail fee). Products that sell poorly can become a cost factor. Monitor your inventory turnover rate via the Boloo Sales Dashboard.
Dimensions and remeasurement
Bol.com measures the dimensions of your products when they arrive at the LVB warehouse. If their measurement differs from what you specified, you will be assigned to a higher weight class — resulting in higher shipping costs. After your invoice, you can receive a report with the differences between the invoiced dimensions and the actual dimensions via the LVB Box Size Checker and request a remeasurement to save costs.
Shipping to Belgium
Bol.com serves both the Dutch and Belgian markets. If you ship via LVB, bol.com automatically handles Belgian deliveries. With VVB, you need to choose a carrier that delivers to Belgium. Rates for Belgian shipments are usually 15–30% higher than for domestic shipments. Consider shipping products that are frequently ordered in Belgium via LVB to limit costs and complexity.
Price scores and shipping costs
On bol.com, sellers are evaluated with price scores (1–5 stars). Since the sales price must include shipping costs, you as a seller have higher product prices than on your own webshop. This affects your price scores:
- 5 stars: sharpest price compared to competitors — maximum visibility
- 4 stars: good price-quality ratio — good position
- 3 stars or lower: price is too high — less visible in search results
Keep in mind that your competitors on bol.com also have to deal with shipping rates, so you can be competitive in terms of price. The difference lies in the shipping method you choose: a lower shipping cost via LVB gives you more room for a competitive sales price.
8 strategies to reduce your shipping costs
With the right approach, you can save significantly on shipping via bol rates:
1. Choose the right shipping method per product
Not every product needs to be shipped via the same method. Fast-selling products with small dimensions are ideal for LVB, while large or slow-moving products are better suited for VVB.
2. Optimize product dimensions
Shipping costs are determined by weight and dimensions. By reducing your packaging, you can sometimes get into a lower weight class. A product that fits in a mailbox package (max 3.2 cm high) saves you €2.50–€4.50 per shipment compared to a standard package.
3. Check dimensions with the LVB Box Size Checker
After each LVB invoice, you'll receive a report from the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker comparing the dimensions charged by bol.com with the actual dimensions. Incorrect measurements are common and can lead to unnecessary higher costs. Always request a remeasurement in case of significant deviations.
4. Calculate all costs in advance
Use the Boloo Winstcalculator to include all shipping costs, commission, storage costs, and return costs in your margin calculation before you purchase products. Avoid surprises later on.
5. Optimize your inventory management
With LVB, you pay storage costs per month. By adjusting your inventory to demand — not too much, not too little — you limit unnecessary storage costs. Monitor your inventory levels and turnover rate via the Sales Dashboard.
6. Bundle products smartly
By selling complementary products as a bundle, you save on shipping costs per product. Instead of two separate shipments, you send one package — the shipping costs per item decrease significantly as a result.
7. Consider VVB+ for high volume
If you ship more than 20 packages per day, VVB+ offers the same rates as VVB but with the delivery promise "next day at home". This can increase your conversion rate by 10–20%, which makes the extra logistical effort pay off.
8. Analyze your shipping data regularly
Review your shipping costs per product and per method on a monthly basis. Products whose margin is under pressure due to high shipping costs can possibly be switched to a different method or have their packaging optimized. Use the Boloo Sales Dashboard for a complete overview of your costs and margins.
Common mistakes when shipping via bol.com
These mistakes regularly cost sellers money or customer reviews:
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Not including shipping costs in the selling price | Margin disappears completely | Always calculate all costs via the Winstcalculator |
| Specifying the wrong weight class for LVB | Higher costs due to remeasurement | Measure accurately and check with LVB Box Size Checker |
| Handing in packages after 17:00 for VVB | Delivery one day later, poor seller performance | Plan delivery well before the deadline |
| Not calculating return costs | 3–15% of revenue in unforeseen costs | Always calculate with a return percentage of 5–10% |
| Leaving slow-moving inventory with LVB | Increasing storage costs (long-tail fee) | Monitor turnover rate and retrieve poor sellers |
| Charging shipping costs to the customer afterwards | Violating bol.com rules, possible suspension | Always include shipping costs in the selling price |
Frequently asked questions about shipping via bol rates
What is the cheapest way to ship via bol.com?
LVB (Logistics via Bol.com) offers the lowest shipping rates thanks to the scale advantages of bol.com. A mailbox package costs just €2.39 via LVB, compared to €4.15 with VVB. However, you should also consider the storage costs. For fast-moving products, LVB is almost always the most advantageous. Calculate the difference with the Boloo Winstcalculator.
Can I combine different shipping methods?
Yes, you can choose between LVB and VVB for each product. Many sellers use LVB for their best-selling products and VVB for slow-moving or very large items. This hybrid model optimizes costs and flexibility.
Can I charge shipping costs separately?
No, on bol.com you're never allowed to show or charge shipping costs separately to the customer. The selling price must include shipping costs. This also applies to returns - customers are allowed to return items for free.
How does bol.com calculate shipping costs for LVB?
Bol.com bases LVB rates on the weight and dimensions of your product. When products arrive at the warehouse, they're measured and weighed. If the measurement differs from your specification, you'll be assigned to a different weight class. Always check the dimensions with the LVB Box Size Checker after receiving your invoice and request a remeasurement if there are errors.
What happens if my package gets lost?
With LVB, bol.com reimburses up to 75% of the selling price if a shipment gets lost. With VVB, you're responsible for filing a damage claim with the carrier (DHL or PostNL). It's a good idea to always ship with track & trace so you can prove the package was sent.
Discover LVB Box-size Checker
See how LVB Box-size Checker can help you sell smarter on bol.com.
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