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Written by Danish Samsudin (Co-Founder)
30 June 2025
If you’re an entrepreneur or brand owner dreaming of breaking into Europe’s online market, you might think of Amazon Germany or Shopify across borders. But there’s one surprisingly smooth, overlooked route: Bol.com and the Dutch business system.
In this article, we’ll explore why the Netherlands is one of the most international-business-friendly countries in Europe — and how you can start selling to millions of Dutch and Belgian consumers without even living here.
The Dutch Advantage: Europe’s E-Commerce Sweet Spot
Few countries are better positioned for e-commerce success than the Netherlands. The population is highly digital, fluent in English, and comfortable shopping online. Its logistics infrastructure is among the best in the world, enabling fast and reliable shipping across Europe, with access to Belgium and many other EU countries within just a few days. The Dutch legal and tax systems are transparent, stable, and particularly welcoming to foreign-owned businesses.
With one business registration, you gain access to both the Dutch and Belgian consumer markets. For brands seeking efficient entry into Europe, the Netherlands provides an ideal launchpad.
What Makes Selling on Bol.com Unique?
Bol.com is the largest online retailer in the Netherlands and Belgium. Often compared to Amazon, it serves over 13 million active users but differs in several important ways. Bol.com has built a reputation as a trusted, local marketplace, where Dutch and Belgian consumers are more likely to buy from sellers who appear to be based in their own countries. Unlike Amazon, which is saturated with global competition, Bol.com has a more curated, localized experience, and international seller onboarding is far more restrictive.
This presents a major opportunity. Sellers who are able to enter the platform with localized, well-presented products have a significant first-mover advantage. You don't need a major brand name to succeed on Bol.com—just a strong product, great customer service, and a fully verified seller account.
But What If You’re Not Based in the Netherlands?
Here’s where most international businesses hit a wall. In order to sell on Bol.com, you need a registered Dutch entity, typically a private limited company known as a BV. You’ll also need a legal Dutch business address, a valid VAT number, and a Dutch IBAN for Bol.com to deposit your sales payouts.
If you’re unfamiliar with Dutch bureaucracy, don’t speak the language, and aren’t located in Europe, setting this up can be time-consuming, expensive, and confusing. For many, this complexity becomes a reason to delay or abandon their expansion into the European market altogether.
How We Help International Brands Enter the Market (Without Moving Here)
This is exactly the problem we set out to solve at Tradelink International. We specialize in helping non-Dutch businesses complete the entire setup process remotely and legally, without needing to relocate or deal with endless paperwork.
Our team handles the full Dutch BV registration process through a certified notary and provides you with a compliant virtual business address. We take care of your VAT registration with the Belastingdienst and open a Dutch IBAN account under management, allowing Bol.com to process and pay out your orders.
Once your business infrastructure is in place, we help create and optimize your first product listings in native Dutch. Our goal is to get you legally established and fully operational on Bol.com within four to six weeks, with all support delivered in fluent English.
Why Now Is the Time
The Dutch and Belgian e-commerce landscape is growing quickly, yet remains relatively untapped by international sellers. Bol.com is a mature, trusted platform with a high-converting customer base. But access is still limited for non-Dutch businesses, which means there is room to grow without the intense competition of marketplaces like Amazon Germany.
If you’re considering expanding into Europe, starting with the Netherlands may be the smartest step you can take. With a streamlined legal environment, a loyal customer base, and a clear path to market, Bol.com offers an exceptional opportunity.
And with the right partner? It’s easier than you think.
Ready to Expand into Europe with Tradelink International?
We offer full setup packages for international businesses looking to sell on Bol.com—with legal support, Bol.com account creation, and Dutch IBANs included.
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