Quick Answer
Add commission, any minimum fee, SGX clearing and trading fees and GST for both the buy and the sell. A S$3,000 SGX trade with a S$10 minimum commission costs about S$24.42 to buy and sell, so the price must rise about 0.81% just to break even.
The Useful Number: A S$3,000 SGX trade with a S$10 minimum commission costs about S$24.42 to buy and sell, so the price must rise about 0.81% just to break even.
Which Fees Does A Trade Carry?
Your broker charges commission, often a % of the trade with a minimum per order, and sometimes a platform fee. On SGX, the exchange adds a clearing fee of 0.0325% and a trading fee of 0.0075% of the trade value on every buy and sell. GST at 9% applies to those SGX fees, and most local brokers add GST to their commission too.
For US shares you usually convert S$ to US$ first. The rate you get is a little worse than the mid-market rate: that gap is the FX spread, and you pay it again when you convert back.
What Does A S$3,000 SGX Trade Cost?
Buy 1,000 shares at S$3 with a made-up broker that charges 0.08% with a S$10 minimum, plus GST.
- Commission (0.08% is S$2.40, so the S$10 minimum applies): S$10.00
- SGX clearing and trading fees: S$1.20
- GST on commission and SGX fees: S$1.01
- Cost to buy: S$12.21
- Cost to buy and sell: S$24.42
- Rise needed to break even: About 0.81%
Trade S$30,000 instead and the round trip falls to about 0.26%, because the minimum stops mattering. A US$5,000 US trade with a US$0.99 platform fee and a 0.3% FX spread each way needs about a 0.64% rise.
- Commission (Minimum Applies): S$10
- SGX Clearing And Trading Fees: S$1
- GST: S$1
- Cost To Buy: S$12
Data as of . Source: SGX — Trading (Exchange Fees).
What Is Not Included?
The calculator leaves out CDP or custody charges, settlement fees some brokers add, small US regulatory fees (SEC and FINRA fees on sales, CAT fees on buys and sells), taxes and any price move while your order fills. Brokers change their fees often, so enter the current ones from your broker’s fee page.
How Can You Use The Break-Even?
Small, frequent trades pay minimum fees again and again. Compare broker fees on your usual trade size with the brokerage comparison, and see how yearly fund fees add up in the investment fees guide.
Quick Check
Three statements from this guide. Tap True or False to check what you have read. Nothing is saved.
Card 1 Of 3
SGX fees apply only when you buy shares, not when you sell.
Card 2 Of 3
On a S$3,000 trade with a S$10 minimum commission, the price must rise about 0.81% to break even.
Why?
On a S$30,000 trade the round trip falls to about 0.26%, because the minimum stops mattering.
Card 3 Of 3
An FX spread on US shares is paid only once.
Why?
The rate you get is a little worse than the mid-market rate each time.
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Open Trade Cost Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
What Fees Does SGX Charge On A Trade?
SGX charges a clearing fee of 0.0325% and a trading fee of 0.0075% of the trade value on every buy and sell.
GST at 9% applies to those fees, on top of your broker’s commission.
Why Do Small Trades Cost More In Percentage Terms?
A minimum commission is charged even on a small order, and again when you sell.
On a S$30,000 trade the same broker’s round trip falls to about 0.26%.
What Is An FX Spread On US Shares?
When you convert S$ to US$, the rate is usually a little worse than the mid-market rate.
You pay that gap when you buy and again when you convert back.
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Sources & Assumptions
Sources checked 12 October 2026. These are examples only. Check the stated assumptions and limits before you use a result.
General information and estimates, not advice. SGX fees and the GST rate checked 12 October 2026; broker fees in the example are made up. Ignores custody, settlement and regulatory fees.