Before you start: what you need ready
The registration itself takes 15–20 minutes. The verification afterwards takes 1–5 business days. To avoid delays, have the following documents immediately available:
| Document | What Bol.com checks | |----------|---------------------| | Chamber of Commerce extract | Active business, registration date, trade name | | VAT number | Valid NL or EU VAT number | | IBAN bank account | Account in the company's name (not personal) | | Identity document | Passport or ID card of the person authorised to sign |
Important: Bol.com does not accept personal bank accounts as payout accounts. If you've just started as a sole trader and don't yet have a business account, open one first — this is the most common cause of delays.
Step 1: Go to the registration form
Go to bol.com/partnerprogramma and click 'Become a seller'. You'll be redirected to the Bol.com partner platform.
Select 'Create a new account'. You have two options:
- Use an existing bol.com account (if you also buy from bol.com personally) — not recommended; keep personal and business separate
- Create a new business account — recommended
Step 2: Enter your company details
Company name and legal structure
Enter the exact trade name as registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Typos or deviations lead to rejection during the verification stage.
Legal structure options:
- Sole trader / eenmanszaak — most common for starters
- Private limited company (BV/NV) — requires additional documents (extract + articles of association)
- General partnership (VOF) — both partners must be registered
- Foreign entity — separate procedure, see below
Chamber of Commerce number
Enter your 8-digit KvK number. Bol.com performs a direct verification with the KvK register. If you registered recently (less than 48 hours ago), the verification may fail — wait a day.
VAT number
Dutch format: NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits (example: NL123456789B01). If you don't have a VAT number for administrative reasons (small business scheme), mention this in the application.
Step 3: Contact details and login
Enter a business email address that you actively use. This becomes:
- Your login address
- The address for order notifications
- The address for Bol.com communications about your account
Recommendation: create a separate email address for Bol.com (e.g. [email protected]). This keeps your inbox manageable and makes it easier to delegate to a staff member later.
Choose a strong password and save it immediately in a password manager. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is mandatory at Bol.com — set it up immediately using an authenticator app.
Step 4: Link your bank account
Enter your IBAN. Bol.com performs a micropayment verification: they deposit a small amount (€0.01–€1.00) into your account with a verification code. You then enter that code in your account.
Timeframe: 1–3 business days after entering the IBAN. Plan for this — you can't receive payouts until this step is completed.
Step 5: Identity verification
Bol.com requires verification of the person authorised to sign for the company. This is done via an external KYC service (iDIN or similar).
Steps:
- Click the verification link in your Bol.com account
- Choose your verification method (iDIN via your bank, or manual document upload)
- Upload a photo of the front and back of your identity document (for manual method)
- Wait for approval (1–3 business days for manual upload, instant for iDIN)
Tip: iDIN via your bank is faster and simpler. If your bank supports iDIN (ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, etc.), choose this route.
Step 6: Terms of service and activation
Read the general terms and conditions of the Bol.com partner platform. Key points:
- Bol.com uses a commission structure per category (5%–17%)
- No fixed monthly fee
- Bol.com can suspend your account for persistently poor seller scores
- Returns are processed via Bol.com — you are required to accept them within the return policy
After agreeing and completing full verification, you'll receive a confirmation email that your account is active.
Common rejection reasons
"Company name does not match"
You've entered a different trade name. Check your Chamber of Commerce extract for the exact spelling — including capitalisation and punctuation.
"Bank account not in the company's name"
Personal account used, or account registered under a different legal entity. Open a business account in the name of the registered company.
"Identity verification failed"
Photo is unclear, document has expired, or name differs from KvK registration. Re-upload with a sharp, complete scan with no shadows.
"VAT number invalid"
Check the format. Foreign companies with an EU VAT number must enter it in the exact format of the issuing country.
Foreign sellers: additional steps
Selling from another EU country on Bol.com?
- You don't need a Dutch KvK, but you do need an equivalent trade register extract
- Your VAT number must be valid in your home country and you must demonstrably be liable for Dutch VAT
- Bol.com sometimes requests an additional statement about your VAT situation
- Expect a longer verification time: 5–10 business days
After activation: the first 30 days
Your account is active. Now the real work begins.
Week 1: Build your first listing. No rush — a strong listing is more valuable than going live quickly.
Week 2: Add your first EAN numbers. Check whether they already exist on Bol.com and whether you're competing or creating a new listing.
Weeks 3–4: Set up your logistics (self-fulfilment or FBB). Test the order process with your own test order.
A listing health check before your first product goes live prevents you waiting weeks for sales that don't come because of a listing score that's too low.
Checklist: account registration
- [ ] Chamber of Commerce extract available (exact trade name noted)
- [ ] VAT number checked for correct format
- [ ] IBAN of business account ready
- [ ] Identity document (not expired, both sides)
- [ ] Business email address created for Bol.com
- [ ] 2FA app installed (Google Authenticator or equivalent)
- [ ] Terms of service read
- [ ] First listing prepared before account goes active
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to open a Bol.com seller account? The registration itself takes about 15 minutes. Verification of your details (Chamber of Commerce, VAT, bank account) usually takes a few business days up to a maximum of two weeks.
Do I need a Chamber of Commerce registration to sell on Bol.com? Yes. Bol.com requires a valid Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration and a VAT number to open a business seller account.
What do I do if my application is rejected? Check that your KVK, VAT and bank details match exactly and are in one name. If in doubt, contact Bol.com partner service with your application details to hand.