Yes, you can buy US stocks from almost any country by opening an international brokerage account, and the main fees include commission, FX spread, SEC & FINRA charges, dividend withholding tax, and potential custody fees.
Why US Equities Still Attract Global Money
The United States hosts the world’s deepest capital market: over 4,300 listed companies, average daily volume above USD 400 billion, and sector leaders such as Apple, Nvidia, and JPMorgan. For investors outside the US, exposure to these names offers dollar-denominated diversification and access to secular growth themes—cloud computing, AI, green energy—that may be under-represented in local exchanges.
Step-by-Step: Opening an Account From Abroad
1. Choose the Right Broker Type
- US-regulated brokers with international desks (Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab International, TD Ameritrade—now Schwab)
- Local subsidiaries of US firms (Saxo Bank, IG, eToro) licensed in your country
- Domestic banks with US market access (DBS Vickers in Singapore, Hargreaves Lansdown in the UK)
2. Prepare KYC Documents
Expect to upload:
- Passport or national ID
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement < 3 months old)
- Tax identification number (TIN) for withholding purposes
- Occasionally, a W-8BEN form to claim treaty-reduced dividend tax
3. Fund the Account
Most brokers accept:
- SWIFT wire in USD (cheapest if you already hold dollars)
- Local-currency transfer converted by the broker (watch the FX markup)
- Debit card or e-wallet for smaller amounts (higher fees)
Core Fee Categories Explained
Trading Commission
US brokers have largely moved to zero-commission for US-listed stocks, but the fine print matters:
- Interactive Brokers: USD 0.0035 per share (min USD 0.35) on Tiered plan; free on Fixed plan for US stocks
- Schwab International: USD 0 online for US equities; phone orders USD 25
- Saxo: 0.02 USD/share (min 1 USD) for Classic accounts
Foreign-Exchange Spread
When you wire EUR, GBP, SGD, or any non-USD currency, the broker converts it. Typical spreads:
- Major pairs: 0.10–0.30%
- Emerging-market pairs: 0.50–1.20%
Pro tip: Use a multi-currency account (Wise, Revolut) to hold USD and fund your brokerage directly, cutting the FX layer.
Regulatory & Exchange Fees
Even with “zero commission,” tiny regulatory charges apply:
- SEC fee: USD 0.0000051 × trade value (sell side only)
- FINRA TAF: USD 0.000119 per share (max USD 5.95)
- NYSE/Nasdaq pass-through: fractions of a cent, usually bundled
Dividend Withholding Tax
Non-US investors face 30% withholding on dividends unless a treaty lowers it. Examples:
- UK residents: 15%
- Singapore residents: 15%
- India residents: 25%
File W-8BEN every three years to lock in the reduced rate.
Custody & Inactivity Fees
- Interactive Brokers: zero custody, USD 10 monthly minimum commission (waived if commissions ≥ 10 USD)
- Saxo: 0.12% annual custody (min 5 EUR/month)
- Some local banks: USD 2–5 per month plus VAT
Hidden Costs Most Websites Don’t Mention
ADR Pass-Through Fees
Hold ADRs like Alibaba (BABA) or Taiwan Semi (TSM)? Depositary banks charge USD 0.01–0.05 per share annually, deducted automatically from dividends or cash.
Corporate Action Charges
Tender offers, rights issues, or stock splits may trigger USD 30–50 per event at some brokers. Check the fee schedule before opting in.
Estate Tax for Non-Resident Aliens
US situs assets above USD 60,000 are subject to estate tax up to 40%. Mitigation tools:
- Hold US stocks through a non-US-domiciled ETF (e.g., CSPX listed in Ireland)
- Use a holding company or trust (consult a cross-border tax attorney)
Tax Reporting: What You Must File at Home
Most countries tax worldwide income. Typical obligations:
- Capital gains: Declare in your annual return; check if US tax paid is creditable
- Dividends: Report gross amount plus foreign tax credit
- FATCA/CRS: Your broker may auto-report your account to your home tax authority
Platform Comparison Matrix
| Broker | Min Deposit | US Stock Commission | FX Markup | Dividend Handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | 0 | 0 | 0.08–0.20 bps | Auto W-8BEN |
| Schwab International | USD 25,000 | 0 | 0.20–0.40% | Auto W-8BEN |
| Saxo | USD 2,000 | 0.02 USD/share | 0.45% | Manual W-8BEN |
| eToro | USD 50 | 0 | 0.50% | No W-8BEN, 30% withheld |
Practical Workflow: From Singapore to Nasdaq in 24 Hours
- Open Interactive Brokers account online (15 minutes)
- Upload passport, SingPass address fetch, e-sign W-8BEN
- Transfer SGD 10,000 via FAST to Wise, convert to USD at 0.35% spread
- Wire USD from Wise to IBKR (arrives same day)
- Place market order for 20 shares of NVDA at USD 450 each
- Total cost: USD 9,000 stock + USD 0 commission + USD 0.46 SEC/FINRA + USD 31.50 FX spread
Frequently Asked Mini-Q&A
Q: Can I buy fractional shares?
A: Yes, Schwab, IBKR, and Fidelity all offer fractional trading down to 0.001 share.
Q: Do I need a US bank account?
A: No. Your broker’s omnibus account at Citibank or JPMorgan handles settlement.
Q: What if my country has no tax treaty with the US?
A: You’ll lose 30% on dividends. Consider accumulating ETFs domiciled in Ireland to bypass withholding.
Q: Is day-trading viable from Europe?
A: Technically yes, but the Pattern Day Trader rule (min USD 25,000 equity) applies if you use a US-regulated margin account.
Bottom-Line Checklist Before You Click “Buy”
- Verify broker regulation (FINRA/SIPC coverage)
- Compare all-in cost: commission + FX + custody + dividend tax
- File W-8BEN to reduce withholding
- Check estate-tax exposure if holding large individual positions
- Keep trade confirmations and year-end tax statements for home filing
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