Frequent Asked Questions
You can find what you need by viewing the FAQs, forms, and service fees.
Global Stocks
How can I deposit US dollars into the CHIEF account?

You can deposit funds to CHIEF's US dollar account with your bank account in Hong Kong via online banking, phone banking, transfer service or cheque. If you do not have a bank account in Hong Kong, you can deposit to CHIEF's account through telegraphic transfer. You can also deposit Hong Kong dollars to your account through internal transfer and exchange to US dollars. Note that internal transfers and currency exchange services are suspended during 15:00 to 18:00 daily.

What are the advantages of trading long call stock option?

The price of some certain US stocks could be over a thousand dollars. If you are optimistic about US stocks, you can purchase a long call stock option instead of buying the underlying stock which lowers the trading cost and increases the leverage. Long call stocks options bear an advantage of ‘infinite profit maximization, limited financial loss’. When the underlying stock rises, the potential gain can be infinite. When the underlying stock falls, the maximum loss is only the option premium.

How many board lots are there in one US Options Contract?

There are 100 board lots in one US Options Contract.

How can I make a transfer from my Hong Kong stock account to US stock account?

Client can make transfers before 15:00 on the trading day (Hong Kong time) via Top Trader Professional version → Cash Withdraw → Internal Transfer; or perform a currency exchange on ‘Chief Trader’ mobile APP; or call the Withdrawal Hotline at (852) 2500 9180.

How do I withdraw US dollars from the account?

This can be done through the ‘Chief Trader’ mobile APP. Select ‘All Services’ → Account (Modification) → add a US dollar bank account (for currency, please select US dollars) and withdraw funds in the system after it takes effect. Please note that US dollars will be deposited to your registered bank by cheque, and the money will be available after approximately 15:00 on the next working day. (Customers who have opened an account online should visit a branch to unlock and add a US dollar account.)

When can I withdraw or transfer money to my Hong Kong account after I have sold my US stock?

As US stocks are settled on T+2, the money for selling stocks can only be withdrawn or transferred after two trading days. If the client wants to use this money to purchase stocks, please consider placing a trade instruction via phone first (please note that related fees will be charged based on a phone trade).

Can I transfer US stocks from other securities firms to CHIEF?

Yes, first you need to notify the bank/securities firm where the US stocks are deposited to arrange the delivery of stocks to CHIEF, then you can use ‘CHIEF Trader’ mobile APP to deposit US stocks into CHIEF or call Customer Support Centre at (852) 2500 9199 for assistance.

Are there any fees for transferring stocks to CHIEF?

US stocks that are transferred by DTC instruction to CHIEF won’t incur any additional fees, however transferring stocks out of CHIEF will incur a DTC instruction fee.

Is there a real-time quote function for US stocks?

US real-time quotes Services is free for non-professional subscriber.

For the US stock order placement time, can I make a placement before the stock market opens or during extended trading hours?

CHIEF supports pre-market and extended hours trading period as below:

Period Trading time (Hong Kong Time (HKT))
Daylight saving time (mid March to early November) Standard Time (early November to mid March)
Pre-market trading period 16:00 – 21:30 HKT 17:00 – 22:30 HKT
Standard trading period* 21:30 – 04:00 HKT 22:30 – 05:00 HKT
Extended hours trading period# 04:00 – 08:00 HKT 05:00 – 08:00 HKT

* There is no afternoon break in trading for US stocks.

# No phone trade and support service during after-hours trading session.

Client may select “All Session” at the trading platform for pre-market and extended hours trading.

Can I trade US stocks when it is a holiday in Hong Kong?

In the event of a Hong Kong holiday on a US stock market trading day, trading services will still be provided as usual.

If the settlement date of the US stocks traded falls on a Hong Kong holiday, the settlement of the relevant transaction funds/ stocks will not be affected.

Is stop loss limit order available for US stocks?

Stop loss limit order (stop loss order) is available for US stocks trade, which client should note that it does not cover at pre-market and after-market trading hours. Also, since stop loss limit order is under the price supervision of US brokerage, if the order have not been executed, the US brokerage will not be responsible and client should aware of the risks involved.

Can I purchase US stocks on margin? If I don’t want to use the margin, can I cancel it?

Yes, if there are insufficient US dollars in the account and there are holdings in the US stocks, you can buy stocks at the margin of the position value and interest on the balance will not be calculated if the funds are deposited within two days. Please refer to the stock margin table for marginable stocks and marginable values.

If the client does not want to accidentally use the margin amount to buy stocks, they can call the Customer Support Centre to set the account loan limit to US$1. If the account does not have enough money, they cannot buy stocks.

Will my US stocks in CHIEF be mortgaged?

Since your US stock account is a margin account, CHIEF may re-pledge the client's securities collateral to obtain financial accommodation.

Do I have to pay dividend tax when US stocks receive dividends?

US stocks are required to pay 30% dividend tax when dividends are paid and dividend tax will be automatically withheld upon dividend payment (Some stocks may be defer and deduct in stages). Some stocks/ ETFs/ ETNs will be automatically refunded by US brokers from time to time to customers who have stocks at the time of netting.

Can I short sell US stocks?

CHIEF does not currently provide short selling services for US stocks.

Why investor will be charged 10% withholding tax on selling PTP stocks?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States has promulgated PTP Withholding and Reporting Regulations. According to the Internal Revenue Code Section 1446(f), other than exceptions, if any portion of the gain or any disposition of an interest in a foreign partnership is effectively connected with the conduct of a US trade or business, Qualified Intermediary transferring the interest must withhold a 10% tax on the disposition. Also, if the foreign partner receives a distribution from a PTP, a 10% tax of such distribution will have to be withheld. The new PTP withholding regulations will become effective from 1 January 2023.

PTP affected stock list

How can I apply for a Global Securities Sub-account?

Step 1: Through "Chief Trader" Mobile APP, select Additional/ Change of A/C Service(s)

Step 2: Choose to add a Global Securities Frequent Trade Sub-account

Step 3: Agree to the terms and conditions and submit

If I do not have a Global Securities Master Account, can I open a Global Securities Sub-account only?

No. You must have a master account to open a sub-account.

Is the buying power of the master account and the sub-account shared?

The buying power of each master account and sub-account is independent. You can deposit funds to the required account to increase buying power; or use internal transfers to transfer settled funds between accounts free of charge.

Deposit methods
Can the stocks between Global Securities Master Account and Sub-accounts be transferred?

Yes, each stock requires an administrative fee of US$10 each transfer. If you need to make a transfer, please fill in the “Global Securities Internal Transfer Form” and return/fax it to our company. You can also visit a branch to submit the application.

I hope my assets can receive complete coverage, which account should I use?

Client can choose a Global Securities Master Account M A/C. SIPC offers up to US$500,000 in claims (including US$250,000 in cash claims) for its members’ securities clients.

Can I use a Global Securities Sub-account to participate in the US stocks monthly investment plan?

No, the US stock monthly investment plan is only applicable to Global Securities Master accounts。

How can I obtain the US stocks real-time quotes service?

Client can apply through the following methods:

  1. Login Chief Trader mobile APP
  2. Enter the trading page and select US Quote Service
  3. Declare as a non-professional subscriber and confirm the terms and conditions
  4. Free real-time US stock quotes are available upon completion of declaration

* ‘Free US stocks real-time quotes service’ or ‘US real-time quotes service of accumulated trade in US stock’ need to be activated separately. Services will be counted based on the activation date, if service is activated within the month, it will be rounded up.

Do I fulfil the requirements of a ‘non-professional subscriber’ to apply for the US stocks real-time quotes service?

To apply for the US stocks real-time quotes service, you must apply as a ‘non-professional subscriber’ and accept that the market information received is only for personal use and not to be used for commercial purposes. For more information on the definition of a ‘non-professional user’, please refer to the ‘NASDAQ Global Subscriber Agreement’.

Can I stop the real-time quote service?

The US real-time quotes Services is free for non-professional subsciber, there is no need to stop it.

How can I check the validity of the service?

The US real-time quotes Services is free for non-professional subsciber without validity.

If I am considered a professional subscriber, how can my status be re-assessed?

If you need to update your employment details to renew your user status, please contact Customer Support Centre for assistance.

I am not a Singapore citizen. Do I need to pay taxes for investing in Singapore stocks?

Foreign investors who invest in Singapore shares are not required to pay profits tax and dividends distributed by corporates.

Is there a minimum amount for opening a Singapore stock account at CHIEF Securities?

There is no minimum account opening amount, but you need to deposit investment capital for transactions.

In addition to stocks, what financial products can be bought and sold in the Singapore market?

In addition to stocks, the Singapore market offers a vast variety of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) , and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Moreover, Singapore offers many renowned American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), such as BIDU (Baidu), CTRP (Ctrip), DCM (NTT DOCOMO), MFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group) and others.

Do I need to have enough Singapore dollars in global securities account so as to trade?

You can order with equivalent purchase of US dollars/Singapore dollars in global securities account. When you inform us after completion, we will exchange the US dollars to Singapore dollars for transaction.

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