Want to start selling on bol.com as a business? You need to meet a number of legal and practical requirements before you can offer your first product. In this comprehensive article, we cover all the steps: from registering with the Chamber of Commerce and tax registration to creating invoices, general terms and conditions, and smart product strategies. This way, you'll be well-prepared and avoid costly mistakes.
What do you need to sell on bol.com as a business?
To get started as a professional seller on bol.com, you need to meet a number of basic requirements. Bol.com only allows business sellers - individuals cannot create a sales account. This means you need a registered company.
| Requirement | Details | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber of Commerce registration | Sole proprietorship, partnership, private limited company or other legal form | Free (one-time) |
| VAT number | Automatically obtained with Chamber of Commerce registration or applied for separately | Free |
| Business bank account | In the name of your company for payouts | €0 – €30/month |
| Bol.com sales account | Registration via partner.bol.com | Free (no subscription) |
| EAN codes | Mandatory for each product on bol.com | From €25 (GS1) |
| Product photos | At least 1 photo on a white background, at least 1200×1200 px | Variable |
Tip: use the Boloo Sales Dashboard to get a grip on your sales and margins right after your first sales.
Chamber of Commerce registration and VAT number: the basics
Every seller on bol.com needs a valid Chamber of Commerce registration. The most common legal forms are the sole proprietorship (low-threshold, quickly set up) and the private limited company (more protection, higher start-up costs). When you register with the Chamber of Commerce, you automatically receive a VAT number from the Tax Authority.
Small Business Scheme (KOR)
Do you expect less than €20,000 in annual sales? You can apply for the Small Business Scheme (KOR). This means you don't have to charge VAT to your customers and don't have to file a VAT return. Note: you also can't deduct VAT on your purchases. For many starting sellers who consider selling on bol.com as a business, the KOR is an interesting option to reduce administrative burden.
VAT return and administration
Without the KOR, you file a VAT return periodically (monthly or quarterly). Keep an overview of all your purchases and sales. Bol.com sends a specification of your sales every month, but you are responsible for correct bookkeeping. Consider accounting packages like Moneybird, e-Boekhouden or Exact Online, or use the automatic invoicing of Boloo to simplify this process.
Creating and sending invoices
As a business seller, you are legally required to send invoices to your customers. An invoice must meet the requirements of the Tax Authority. The following are the mandatory components:
| Invoice element | Description |
|---|---|
| Invoice number | Continuous, unique number (e.g. 2026-001) |
| Invoice date | Date of issue |
| Seller's name and address | Your company name and business address |
| Buyer's name and address | Customer details (via bol.com order) |
| KvK number | Your registration number with the Chamber of Commerce |
| BTW number | Your VAT identification number |
| Product description | Clear description of delivered products |
| Quantity and unit price | Number of products and price per unit (excl. BTW) |
| BTW rate and amount | 21%, 9% or 0% with the corresponding amount |
| Total amount incl. BTW | The final amount the customer pays |
Manually creating invoices for each order is time-consuming. With Boloo automatic invoicing, invoices are automatically generated and sent with every bol.com order, including all legally required fields.
General terms and conditions for business sellers
If you sell business-to-consumer, you are legally required to have general terms and conditions. These terms protect both you and your customers and must be available before purchase. Important components include:
- Right of withdrawal: consumers have 14 days to change their minds when shopping online
- Return policy: describe how customers can return products and within what timeframe
- Warranty: statutory warranty always applies, regardless of your own terms
- Complaints procedure: how customers can file a complaint
- Privacy statement: how you handle personal data (AVG/GDPR)
- Payment terms: payment is automatically handled via bol.com
You can have standard general terms and conditions drawn up by the Chamber of Commerce, a legal advisor, or online services like Jigsaw or ICTRecht. Make sure they are available on your bol.com profile page.
Cost structure when selling business-to-consumer on bol.com
A common mistake made by new sellers is underestimating the total costs. In addition to the purchase price, there are several cost items you need to consider:
| Cost item | Percentage / Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| bol.com commission | 5% – 17% | Depending on product category |
| Fixed fee | €0.50 – €2.00 | Per sold item |
| Shipping costs | €3.50 – €6.95+ | Depending on size and weight |
| Return costs | €3.50 – €6.95 | Average 10-15% return rate |
| Packaging materials | €0.30 – €2.00 | Boxes, filling material, tape |
| Sponsored Products | CPC €0.15 – €1.50 | Optional, but recommended for visibility |
| EAN codes | From €25/year | Via GS1 Nederland |
| Accounting software | €10 – €50/month | Optional, depending on package |
Use the Boloo profit calculator to calculate in advance whether your product will be profitable after deducting all costs. This way, you avoid surprises later on.
Product strategy: white label vs. private label
A crucial choice when selling business-to-consumer on bol.com is your product strategy. The two most common models are white label and private label:
White label selling
With white label, you buy existing products from a manufacturer and sell them under the manufacturer's brand or without a brand. Advantages: low entry barrier, no brand registration required, quick to start. Disadvantages: you compete directly on price with other sellers of the same product and have little control over the listing.
Selling private label
With private label, you have products produced under your own brand name. This requires more investment (brand registration via BOIP, product design, minimum order quantities), but offers great benefits: you have a unique product page, no direct price competition on the same listing, and you build brand value.
Use the Boloo product database to research which product categories are promising and where the competition is less strong.
Bol.com service standards and policies
Bol.com has strict service standards that every business seller must meet. Failing to meet these standards can lead to warnings, restrictions, or even suspension of your account:
| KPI | Norm | Meting |
|---|---|---|
| On-time delivery | ≥ 93% | Percentage of orders delivered on time |
| Cancellation percentage | ≤ 2% | Orders cancelled by the seller |
| Track & trace | ≥ 95% | Orders with valid track & trace |
| Phone availability | ≥ 90% | Availability during opening hours |
| Response time to customer questions | ≤ 24 uur | Response time to customer questions via bol.com |
| Return percentage | Categorie-afhankelijk | Compared to the average in your category |
Keep a close eye on your KPIs via the Boloo sales dashboard. When you see a KPI is about to drop, you can quickly intervene by adjusting your shipping process or improving your customer service.
Collecting reviews and improving your ranking
Reviews are one of the most important factors for your visibility in the bol.com search results. Products with more and better reviews score higher and are more often displayed in the shopping block. Some proven strategies:
- Deliver quality products: the basis for good reviews is a product that does what it promises
- Fast shipping: customers who receive their order quickly and in good condition are more likely to leave a positive review
- Follow-up emails: send a friendly email after shipping with a request to leave a review. Use the Boloo email campaigns for this
- Respond to negative reviews: show that you take complaints seriously and offer a solution
- Optimize your listing: a clear product description and good photos reduce the return percentage and improve review scores
With the Boloo ranking checker, you monitor daily how your products perform in the search results and what impact your reviews have on your position.
Optimizing shipping and logistics
Efficient logistics is essential for meeting the bol.com service standards. You have two main options:
Own shipping (VVB)
You manage your own stock, pack orders yourself, and ship them via PostNL, DHL, or another carrier. This gives you maximum control but requires storage space and daily attention to the shipping process.
Logistics via Bol (LVB)
You send your inventory to bol.com's warehouse, and they take care of storage, packaging, shipping, and returns. Benefits: faster delivery times, higher chance of getting the buy box, and less operational work. Drawbacks: higher costs per item and less control over packaging. Use the Boloo LVB box size checker to choose the right box formats and avoid unnecessary costs.
Optimize listings for more sales
Your product listing is your digital storefront on bol.com. An optimized listing attracts more visitors and converts better. Focus on these elements:
- Title: includes the most important keywords, up to 150 characters, readable and informative
- Product description: detailed, scannable with bullet points, at least 500 words
- Images: at least 3-5 photos, white background, high resolution, lifestyle photos
- Specifications: fill in all relevant fields - this improves findability
- Keywords: use tools like the Boloo keyword explorer to find relevant search terms
Let Boloo generate your listings professionally with the Boloo AI listing generator, which automatically creates SEO-optimized titles and descriptions based on your product data.
Frequently asked questions about selling on bol.com
Can I sell on bol.com without a KVK registration?
No, a KVK registration is required. Bol.com checks your KVK number when you register your sales account. Without a valid KVK number, you cannot create an account.
How much does it cost to start selling on bol.com?
Bol.com does not charge a monthly subscription. You only pay a commission per sale (5-17% + fixed amount). Additionally, expect startup costs for inventory (€500-€2,000), EAN codes (from €25), and optional packaging materials and advertising.
Do I need to charge VAT if I'm just starting out?
If you apply for the Small Business Scheme (KOR) and your annual turnover remains below €20,000, you do not need to charge VAT. Above this threshold or without KOR, you are required to charge VAT.
What is the difference between white label and private label?
With white label, you sell existing products from a manufacturer without your own brand. With private label, you have products made under your own brand name, which requires more investment but also offers more control and higher margins.
How long does it take to make a profit?
Most sellers reach break-even after 2-4 months, depending on the product type, investment, and competition. With a good product strategy and optimized listings, you can accelerate this process.
Successfully selling on bol.com starts with solid preparation: ensure your legal basis is in order, choose a smart product strategy, and use the right tools to run your business efficiently. Start setting up your sales account today and discover how Boloo can help you grow faster.
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