If you sell on bol.com, shipping costs bol are one of the most important factors that determine your profit margin. Yet, many sellers don't fully understand how the different shipping rates work, which method is the most beneficial, and how to optimize shipping costs. In this comprehensive article, you'll learn everything about shipping costs at bol.com: from the exact rates per method to smart strategies to lower your logistical costs.
What are bol shipping costs and why are they important?
Bol shipping costs are the costs you pay as a seller to get your products to the customer. At bol.com, these costs are always included in your selling price — you're never allowed to charge the customer extra shipping costs. This means your shipping costs directly impact your margin and competitive position. With the Boloo Winstcalculator, you can easily calculate your net margin after deducting all costs, including shipping.
Three shipping methods at bol.com compared
Bol.com offers three different ways to ship your products. Each method has its own rates, benefits, and drawbacks. Below, you'll find a complete overview of bol shipping costs per method.
1. Shipping via bol.com (VVB)
With VVB, you store your inventory yourself and use bol.com's carriers (PostNL or DHL). You deliver your packages to a drop-off point before 5:00 PM. The standard rates are:
- Letterbox package: €4,15 incl. btw
- Package up to 10 kg: €6,95 incl. btw
- Package up to 23 kg: €13,20 incl. btw
- Large package (23–30 kg): €16,50 incl. btw
2. Shipping via bol.com+ (VVB+)
VVB+ offers additional benefits on top of standard VVB. You benefit from the delivery promise 'ordered before 11:59 PM, delivered the next day' and you can have packages picked up via Ampère points. VVB+ is interesting if you ship more than 20 packages per day. The rates are the same as VVB, but you get a higher conversion rate due to the fast delivery promise.
3. Logistics via bol.com (LVB)
With LVB, you send your inventory to bol.com's logistics center. They handle shipping and returns for you. This saves time and often costs, but you pay storage costs on top of shipping rates. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to check if your boxes are measured correctly and avoid unnecessary extra costs on your bill.
Bol shipping costs: complete rate overview
The table below shows the current bol shipping costs per method and package type. This way, you can compare at a glance which option is the most beneficial for your situation.
| Package type | VVB (incl. btw) | VVB+ (incl. btw) | LVB (incl. btw) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letterbox package | €4,15 | €4,15 | €3,49 |
| Small package (up to 3 kg) | €6,95 | €6,95 | €4,99 |
| Standard package (up to 10 kg) | €6,95 | €6,95 | €5,49 |
| Medium-sized package (up to 23 kg) | €13,20 | €13,20 | €7,99 |
| Large package (23–30 kg) | €16,50 | €16,50 | €10,99 |
| Extra large / bulky | On request | On request | On request |
| Storage costs per m³/month | Not applicable | Not applicable | €25–€45 |
| Pick-up service | Not available | Yes (via Ampère) | Not applicable |
Processing bol shipping costs in your selling price
Because bol.com doesn't show separate shipping costs to the customer, you need to factor them into your total sales price. This directly affects your margin and your price score. Below is an example of a margin calculation:
| Cost item | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Sales price (incl. VAT) | €29,95 | 100% |
| VAT (21%) | −€5,21 | 17,4% |
| Purchase price | −€8,00 | 26,7% |
| Bol.com commission (10%) | −€3,00 | 10,0% |
| Shipping costs (VVB, package up to 10 kg) | −€6,95 | 23,2% |
| Packaging material | −€0,75 | 2,5% |
| Net profit | €6,04 | 20,2% |
Tip: use the Boloo Winstcalculator to automatically make this calculation for all your products. This way, you'll know exactly how much profit you'll make after all costs, including shipping costs bol.
Price scores and shipping costs
Bol.com has a price score of 1 to 5 stars. The higher your score, the better your price-quality ratio compared to competitors. Since shipping costs are included in your sales price, they indirectly affect your price score. With four stars, you're doing well, and with five stars, you have the sharpest price. With the Boloo Sales Dashboard, you can track your price position compared to competitors.
Return costs and bol shipping costs
Returns are an essential part of your logistical costs. On bol.com, there's a statutory right of return of 30 days for most products. The return costs are borne by the seller. Here are the key points to consider:
- Return shipping costs: You pay the shipping costs for the return package. With LVB, bol.com handles returns, while with VVB, you need to arrange this yourself.
- Return percentage: The average return percentage on bol.com is between 5% and 15%, depending on the product category. Fashion and electronics have higher return percentages.
- Damaged returns: For damaged products, you can offer a reduced refund, but only if the damage was caused by the customer.
- LVB compensation: With LVB, bol.com reimburses up to 75% of the sales price if a shipment is lost.
Take return costs into account in your margin calculation. A product with a purchase price of €8 and a return percentage of 10% will cost you an additional €0.80 per sold product in return logistics.
6 strategies to reduce bol shipping costs
With the right approach, you can significantly reduce your bol shipping costs. Here are six proven strategies:
1. Choose the right shipping method per product
Not every product is suitable for the same shipping method. Small, lightweight products with a high turnover rate are ideal for LVB. Large, heavy products with a lower turnover rate are better shipped by yourself to avoid storage costs. Use the Boloo Product Tracker to analyze the turnover rate of your products.
2. Optimize your packaging dimensions
Bol.com calculates shipping costs based on weight and dimensions. By making your packaging as compact as possible, you'll fall into a lower tariff class. The Boloo LVB Box Size Checker checks after your invoice whether the dimensions used by bol.com match reality. Are your boxes being measured too large? Then request a re-measurement and save directly on your shipping costs.
3. Use mailbox post where possible
The rate for a mailbox package (€4.15 VVB, €3.49 LVB) is significantly lower than for a standard package. Check if your products fit within the mailbox post dimensions (max. 38 × 26.5 × 3.2 cm, max. 2 kg). Small adjustments to your packaging can save you thousands of euros per year.
4. Combine VVB and LVB strategically
Many successful sellers use a hybrid approach: bestsellers with high turnover via LVB, niche products with lower turnover via VVB. This way, you benefit from the lower LVB rates for your most important products without high storage costs for slow-moving products.
5. Negotiate rates for high volume
If you send more than 100 packages per day, you can contact bol.com for volume discounts. You can also request business rates from carriers like PostNL and DHL, which are lower than the standard VVB rates.
6. Monitor your logistics costs structurally
Track your shipping costs per product and per month with the Boloo Sales Dashboard. Compare the costs per shipping method and switch when another method becomes more advantageous. Check your bol.com invoices monthly for incorrect entry of package dimensions.
Common mistakes in bol shipping costs
These five mistakes are the most common among bol.com sellers:
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping costs not included in sales price | Loss on every sale | Calculate margins in advance with the Profit Calculator |
| Wrong package category chosen | Too high or too low rates | Weigh and measure each SKU accurately |
| Underestimating LVB storage costs | Unexpectedly high monthly costs | Calculate storage costs into your margin per product |
| Return costs not included | Lower profit margin than expected | Reckon with 5–15% return percentage per category |
| Invoices not checked for remeasurements | Paying too much for shipping | Use the LVB Box Size Checker |
VVB vs LVB: which method suits you?
The choice between VVB and LVB depends on several factors. Use this comparison to make the right choice:
| Factor | VVB / VVB+ | LVB |
|---|---|---|
| Need for own storage space | Yes | No |
| Control over shipping process | Full | None |
| Shipping costs per package | Higher | Lower |
| Storage costs | Own space | €25–€45/m³/month |
| Impact on seller score | Self-responsible | Bol.com responsible |
| Customer service for shipping issues | Handle yourself | Bol.com handles |
| Delivery promise to customer | Standard / VVB+ faster | Fastest delivery |
| Suitable for | Large/heavy products, low volumes | Small products, high turnover |
Bol shipping costs and your service standards
Your performance in terms of shipping directly affects your seller score on bol.com. Bol.com has strict service standards that you must comply with:
- Timely delivery: At least 97% of your orders must be delivered on time.
- Cancellation percentage: You can cancel a maximum of 2% of your orders.
- Return processing: Returns must be processed and refunded within 5 working days.
At LVB, these standards are adhered to by bol.com itself, so your score isn't affected by carrier errors. With VVB, you're responsible yourself. Monitor your performance via the Boloo Sales Dashboard to adjust in time.
Shipping costs bol for Belgium and international shipping
Bol.com serves both the Dutch and Belgian markets. Shipping costs for deliveries in Belgium are generally higher than for domestic shipping in the Netherlands. At LVB, Belgian orders are automatically handled from the logistics center, without extra actions from you as a seller. With VVB, you need to include the higher shipping rates to Belgium in your price calculation.
Important: bol.com does not allow shipping to countries outside the Benelux. All sales are limited to the Netherlands and Belgium. If you want to sell internationally, you should consider additional sales channels. Focus on optimizing your Benelux strategy and use the Boloo Keyword Verkenner to target both Dutch and Belgian search terms for more reach.
Seasonal effects on shipping costs bol
Around peak periods like Black Friday, Sinterklaas, and Christmas, logistical costs increase significantly. Carriers charge higher surcharges and the risk of delays increases. Prepare yourself in time:
- Send LVB stock early: Send your stock to the logistics center at least 3-4 weeks before the peak period to avoid capacity problems.
- Recalculate margins: Take into account higher shipping costs and possible surcharges in your selling price. A peak period margin 15-20% lower is not uncommon.
- Expect more returns: In January, the return percentage increases by 20-40% compared to normal months. Calculate these extra costs into your seasonal strategy.
- Consider VVB+ during peak periods: The fast delivery promise can make a difference with customers who order last-minute gifts. The higher conversion rate often compensates for the effort.
Use the Boloo Sales Dashboard to compare your logistical performance per month and quantify the impact of seasonal effects on your shipping costs bol. With the Product Tracker, you analyze which products perform best in which periods, so you can adjust your inventory management and shipping strategy accordingly.
Frequently asked questions about shipping costs bol
What are the cheapest shipping costs at bol.com?
The cheapest option is LVB for mailbox packages (€3.49 incl. VAT). For standard packages, LVB is also more advantageous than VVB. However, keep in mind the monthly storage costs that come with LVB.
Can I charge shipping costs separately to customers?
No, this is strictly prohibited at bol.com. The selling price on the product page is inclusive of shipping costs. You are also not allowed to charge extra costs afterwards. Always process shipping costs in your selling price.
How can I lower my shipping costs at bol.com?
Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to correct incorrect measurements, optimize your packaging dimensions, use mailbox post where possible, and consider LVB for products with high turnover rates.
What happens if a package gets lost?
At LVB, bol.com reimburses up to 75% of the selling price. With VVB, you depend on the insurance of your carrier. PostNL and DHL offer standard limited coverage; for valuable products, you can take out additional shipping insurance.
Can I combine VVB and LVB?
Yes, many successful sellers use a hybrid strategy. You can choose the shipping method per product. Bestsellers with high turnover rates are ideal for LVB, while niche products with low turnover rates are better shipped via VVB. Analyze your product performance with the Boloo Product Tracker to make the right choice per product.
Conclusion
Bol.com shipping costs are an essential part of your cost calculation as a bol.com seller. By choosing the right shipping method, optimizing your packaging, and regularly checking your invoices, you can save hundreds to thousands of euros per year. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to find incorrect measurements, the Profit Calculator for accurate margin calculations, and the Sales Dashboard to monitor your logistics performance. Also, check out our free course for more tips on successfully selling on bol.com.
Discover LVB Box-size Checker
See how LVB Box-size Checker can help you sell smarter on bol.com.
View LVB Box-size Checker
