Shipping costs on bol.com are one of the most important cost factors for every seller on the platform. Whether you're just starting out or already processing hundreds of orders per week - the shipping method you choose and the associated rates largely determine your profit margin. In this comprehensive article, we'll explain everything about shipping costs on bol.com, compare the different methods, and provide practical tips to reduce your costs.
What are the shipping costs on bol.com?
As a seller on bol.com, you pay shipping costs for every order you send to a customer. These costs are not shown separately to the customer - they are always included in your selling price. That means you need to strategically calculate your selling price: your item price plus shipping costs must still yield a healthy margin. Use the Boloo Profit Calculator to calculate this exactly in advance.
Bol.com offers three shipping methods, each with its own rates, benefits, and conditions. The choice between these methods directly affects your shipping costs, sales performance, and customer satisfaction.
Overview of shipping methods and shipping costs on bol.com
Below, you'll find a complete overview of the three shipping methods offered by bol.com, including the current rates per package format:
| Package type | VVB (Self-shipment) | VVB+ (Shipping via bol.com+) | LVB (Logistics via bol.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailbox package | €4,15 incl. btw | €4,15 incl. btw | €2,49 – €3,49 |
| Package up to 10 kg | €6,95 incl. btw | €6,95 incl. btw | €4,09 – €5,29 |
| Package 10 – 23 kg | €13,20 incl. btw | €13,20 incl. btw | €5,29 – €7,99 |
| Large package (23 – 31,5 kg) | €17,50 incl. btw | €17,50 incl. btw | €8,99 – €12,49 |
| Extra large (>31,5 kg or >150 cm) | On request | Not available | On request |
Note: LVB rates vary based on the exact weight and dimensions of your product. Boloo automatically calculates these costs via the LVB Box Size Checker so you always know what you're actually paying.
Self-shipment (VVB): how does it work?
With Shipping via Bol.com (VVB), you manage your own inventory and bring the packages to a PostNL or DHL drop-off point yourself. This is the most commonly used method for starters and sellers with their own storage space.
Advantages of VVB
- Full control over the packaging and shipping process
- Flexibility in choosing drop-off and pick-up locations
- No storage costs at bol.com - you store your inventory yourself
- Branding opportunities - add your own packaging and inserts
Disadvantages of VVB
- You are responsible for timely delivery - late delivery affects your performance scores
- No evening delivery or pick-up options for customers
- Higher rates per package than with LVB
- You must drop off packages before 5:00 PM to guarantee next-day delivery
Shipping via Bol.com+ (VVB+): the extended variant
VVB+ builds on the standard VVB method and offers additional benefits. The same shipping costs on bol.com apply, but you get better delivery promises to the customer. VVB+ is suitable if you ship more than 20 packages per day.
Additional benefits of VVB+
- Delivery promise "Ordered before 23:59, delivered tomorrow" - a stronger proposition for customers
- Courier pickup service - deliver your package to an Ampère point before 10:00 and the courier will pick it up
- The same rates as standard VVB - no extra costs
Limitations of VVB+
- No evening delivery or pickup point options for customers
- Minimum of 20 packages per day required (few letterbox packages)
- Stricter deadlines for submitting packages
Logistics via Bol.com (LVB): the lower shipping cost bol.com option
With Logistics via Bol.com (LVB), you send your stock to bol.com's distribution center. Bol.com then takes care of storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service for returns. This results in significantly lower shipping costs per package.
Benefits of LVB
- Lower shipping costs - up to 40% cheaper than shipping yourself
- No need for your own warehouse - bol.com stores your stock
- Customer service by bol.com - delivery questions are handled by bol.com
- No impact on performance scores in case of delivery problems by the carrier
- Customer can choose delivery day - including evening delivery and pickup points
- Delivery in Belgium - automatically available via LVB
- Compensation for lost shipments - up to 75% of the selling price
Disadvantages of LVB
- Storage costs - you pay monthly for the space your stock occupies
- Less control over packaging and presentation
- Inbound costs - shipping stock to the warehouse also costs money
- Possible dimension errors - bol.com may register different dimensions than expected, resulting in higher costs
Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to compare the invoiced dimensions with your actual product dimensions after each invoice. This way, you can quickly discover if you're paying too much and request a remeasurement from bol.com.
Comparison: which shipping method suits you?
The best choice depends on your business situation. Below is a decision aid based on common scenarios:
| Situation | Recommended method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Starter with <10 orders per day | VVB | Low entry threshold, full control, no bol.com storage needed |
| Growing seller with own warehouse | VVB or VVB+ | Maintain control, benefit from pickup service with 20+ packages |
| Seller without storage space | LVB | No own warehouse needed, everything is taken care of by bol.com |
| High volumes (>50 orders/day) | LVB | Lowest costs per package, no manual shipping work, scalable |
| Private label with own branding | VVB | Own packaging and inserts possible |
| Seller active in Belgium | LVB | Belgian delivery automatically included with LVB |
How do you calculate your margin including bol.com shipping costs?
A common mistake is not taking into account all cost items when determining your selling price. In addition to bol.com shipping costs, you should also consider commission, purchase costs, VAT, and any storage costs. Use the following formula as a starting point:
Selling price = Purchase price + Bol.com commission + Shipping costs + Storage costs + Desired profit margin
Calculation example
Let's say you're selling a product with a purchase price of €15.00. The bol.com commission is 10%, shipping costs via VVB are €6.95, and you want a 25% margin.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | €15,00 |
| Shipping Costs (VVB) | €6,95 |
| Bol.com Commission (10% of selling price) | €3,44 |
| Total Costs | €25,39 |
| Selling Price (incl. 25% margin) | €34,39 |
| Net Profit | €8,60 |
Calculate this for all your products using the Boloo Profit Calculator to avoid unintentionally making a loss.
Price Star Scores and Shipping Costs
Bol.com uses price star scores to compare sellers based on price-quality ratio. Since your shipping costs are included in your selling price, higher shipping costs directly affect your price star score. Sellers with lower shipping costs (e.g., via LVB) can offer a lower selling price and often receive higher star ratings.
- 5 stars - sharpest price compared to competitors
- 4 stars - good price-quality ratio
- 3 stars or lower - price is above average
A higher price star score leads to more visibility in search results and a greater chance of winning the Buy Block. This makes reducing your shipping costs doubly valuable: lower costs and better sales performance.
Tips to Reduce Your Bol.com Shipping Costs
There are several strategies to minimize your shipping costs without compromising customer satisfaction:
1. Optimize Your Packaging
Use the smallest possible packaging for each product. A product that fits in a mailbox package costs €4.15 via VVB, while a standard package costs €6.95 - a saving of €2.80 per shipment. With 100 orders per month, that's already a saving of €280.
2. Consider LVB for Your Best-Selling Products
Start with LVB for your top 20% products. The lower rates and higher customer satisfaction far outweigh the storage costs. Monitor your sales figures via the Boloo Sales Dashboard to determine which products benefit most from LVB.
3. Check Your LVB Invoices for Dimension Errors
Bol.com charges LVB costs based on the registered dimensions of your product. If these dimensions are incorrect, you pay too much. After each invoice, you can use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to request a report with the differences between the dimensions charged by bol.com and the actual dimensions. In case of discrepancies, you can request a re-measurement and get the difference back.
4. Bundle Shipments Where Possible
If a customer orders multiple products, they should ideally be shipped in one package. With VVB, you have control over this. Make sure to pack your packages efficiently to minimize the number of separate shipments - and thus the shipping costs.
5. Negotiate Rates for Higher Volumes
Do you ship more than 100 packages per day via VVB? Then you can negotiate more favorable rates with PostNL or DHL based on your volume. Request a quote and compare it to the LVB rates to make the best choice.
6. Use Data to Adjust Your Shipping Strategy
Analyze the best shipping method for each product. Some products are more profitable via LVB, while others are via VVB. Use the Boloo Product Tracker in combination with the profit calculator to make the optimal choice per product.
Return Costs and Bol.com Shipping Costs
An important aspect that many sellers forget: you can't charge return costs to customers. If a customer returns a product, you as the seller pay the return costs. With LVB, returns are handled by bol.com. With VVB, you need to include a return label or cover the costs afterwards.
When calculating your margin, take into account an average return rate of 5–15% (depending on your product category). In categories like fashion and electronics, this rate can be as high as 20–30%.
Frequently asked questions about bol.com shipping costs
Can I charge shipping costs separately to the customer?
No, this is strictly prohibited on bol.com. Your selling price always includes shipping costs. You're also never allowed to charge extra costs afterwards.
What's cheaper: LVB or shipping myself?
LVB is generally 20–40% cheaper per package than shipping yourself. However, with LVB, you pay storage costs. For products with a high turnover rate, LVB is almost always more cost-effective.
How can I request a remeasurement at bol.com?
If you suspect that bol.com is using incorrect dimensions for your LVB products, you can request a remeasurement via the partner platform. Use the Boloo LVB Box Size Checker to first check which products deviate.
Do late deliveries count towards LVB?
No. With LVB, bol.com is responsible for delivery. If the carrier delivers late, it won't affect your performance scores. This is a significant advantage of LVB over VVB.
Can I combine LVB and VVB?
Yes, many successful sellers use a hybrid strategy. They put their best-selling products on LVB and ship niche or seasonal products themselves via VVB. This way, you combine the cost benefits of LVB with the flexibility of VVB.
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