This guide is for new investors who want to know exactly what a share trade costs before they place it. I handle these questions for my clients every week, and the confusion is almost always in the same places.
The rates below are examples. Always check the current rates on your own contract note and your broker’s official fee schedule.
The Four Charges on Every Bursa Malaysia Contract
Brokerage is what the stockbroking firm charges to execute your order. It differs by broker and is usually a percentage of trade value with a minimum fee per trade.
SST on brokerage is service tax charged on the brokerage amount, not on the full trade value. Your contract note shows the rate applied.
Clearing fee goes to Bursa’s clearing house for settling the trade. It is 0.03% of trade value, capped at RM1,000 per contract.
Stamp duty is a government levy on the contract: RM1 per RM1,000 of contract value or part thereof, capped at RM1,000. It is not a flat RM1 per trade. A RM1,200 contract pays RM2.
Worked Example: One Buy and One Sell
For illustration I use the package I offer clients who open M+ Global with invitation code UBZQ (from 4 Nov 2026): 0.08% brokerage for trades up to RM50,000, minimum RM8. I assume 8% SST. Confirm actual rates with the official M+ fee schedule.
Buy: 5,000 units (50 board lots of 100) at RM3.00.
- Contract value: 5,000 x RM3.00 = RM15,000.00
- Brokerage: 0.08% x RM15,000 = RM12.00 (above the RM8 minimum)
- SST: 8% x RM12.00 = RM0.96
- Clearing fee: 0.03% x RM15,000 = RM4.50
- Stamp duty: 15 blocks of RM1,000 = RM15.00
- Total fees: RM32.46. Amount payable: RM15,032.46
Sell: the same 5,000 units at RM3.20.
- Contract value: RM16,000.00
- Brokerage: RM12.80
- SST: RM1.02
- Clearing fee: RM4.80
- Stamp duty: RM16.00
- Total fees: RM34.62. Net proceeds: RM15,965.38
Your gross gain was RM1,000, but your real profit is RM932.92. Small rounding differences on your contract note are normal.
How the Minimum Brokerage Hits Small Orders
The minimum fee kicks in whenever the percentage works out lower. To find the order size where the minimum stops mattering, use: Minimum fee / brokerage rate.
With an RM8 minimum and 0.08% rate: RM8 / 0.0008 = RM10,000. Below RM10,000 you pay the flat RM8. On a RM2,000 order, that is 0.4% in brokerage alone, five times the headline rate.
This trips up many beginners who split RM3,000 into three small buys. Each pays the minimum, so consolidate small orders where you can.
Online Self-Directed vs Remisier-Assisted Accounts
When people search for brokers for trading or the best share trading account in Malaysia, cost is usually the first question. But the service attached matters as much as the rate.
| Feature | Online self-directed | Remisier-assisted |
|---|---|---|
| Order placement | You, in the app | You in the app, or through your remisier |
| Guidance | Research reports, self-service | Personal advice, stock ideas, market insights |
| Problem solving | General customer service | A named, SC-licensed dealer’s representative |
| Cost | Per official fee schedule | Varies; check before opening |
Remisiers hold a Capital Markets Services Representative’s Licence from the Securities Commission. My UBZQ clients get the online rate plus my personal remisier service at no extra charge. I do not rank brokers here; see my best stock broker Malaysia comparison for that.
How to Read Your Contract Note Line by Line
- Trade date and settlement date: settlement should be T+2, two market days after the trade.
- CDS account number: confirm it is yours. M+ CDS numbers are 15 digits starting 012-001.
- Stock name, code, quantity and price: match these against your order.
- Gross amount: quantity x price.
- Brokerage, SST, clearing fee, stamp duty: recalculate each using the method above.
- Net amount: what you pay on a buy, or receive on a sell.
Contract notes are available in the app or by email. To confirm your holdings independently, check your CDS statement through Bursa Anywhere.
Breakeven Price: A Formula You Can Reuse
Use this: Breakeven price = Total buy cost / (Units x (1 – sell-side fee %)).
In my example, sell-side fees are about 0.2164% (brokerage 0.08% + SST 0.0064% + clearing 0.03% + stamp duty 0.1%). So RM15,032.46 / (5,000 x 0.997836) = about RM3.013. Round up to the next price the stock actually trades at.
For short-term traders, that round trip of roughly 0.43% matters. If you buy and sell on small moves, fees can swallow most of your gain, especially below the minimum-brokerage threshold.
Other Costs to Ask Your Broker About
- CDS account opening fee, if any
- Foreign market trading: brokerage minimums, currency conversion spreads and custody fees
- Fees for transferring shares between CDS accounts
- Interest on late payment or contra losses
- Handling of dividends from foreign shares
I will not quote amounts, as these change. Ask for the official fee schedule in writing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating stamp duty as a flat RM1. It scales with contract value.
- Forgetting that fees apply on both buy and sell.
- Placing many small orders that each hit the minimum brokerage.
- Assuming one CDS account covers all brokers. You open a separate CDS account with each broker.
- Not checking the contract note until there is a dispute.
Key Takeaways
- Four charges apply: brokerage, SST on brokerage, clearing fee and stamp duty.
- Clearing fee is 0.03% and stamp duty RM1 per RM1,000 or part thereof, each capped at RM1,000.
- Divide the minimum fee by the rate to find where the minimum stops mattering.
- Calculate breakeven before entering any short-term trade.
- Compare service, not just rates, when choosing a broker in Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there capital gains tax on Bursa Malaysia shares?
No, individuals pay no capital gains tax on shares listed on Bursa Malaysia. From YA2025, individuals pay 2% tax on Malaysian dividend income above RM100,000 a year.
When is payment due after I buy shares?
Bursa trades settle on T+2, so payment is due two market days after the trade date. Check your contract note for the exact settlement date.
What should I do if my contract note looks wrong?
Contact your remisier or broker immediately with the contract number and the line you dispute. Keep your own calculation as reference.
Are my shares protected by PIDM if my broker has problems?
No, PIDM covers bank deposits, not shares. Your shares are held in your CDS account at Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd, which is why checking your CDS statement matters.
If you want help calculating costs on a specific trade or opening an account, contact me directly. I am Dexter Chia, remisier at Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd. Open M+ Global with invitation code UBZQ to get my personal service, plus 7 days free access to my AI Stock Trend Terminal at ai.dexterchia.com. WhatsApp me at +60169059789.
Need Help With This?
If you are an M+ Global client and need help with this process, message me directly — I handle these requests for clients every week.
WhatsApp: +60169059789 | M+ Global Invitation Code: UBZQ
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
Want to invest in Bursa Malaysia or US markets? Contact Dexter Chia, an AI Driven Remisier who has 2,300+ clients at Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd (M+ Global). M+ Global Invitation Code: UBZQ | WhatsApp: +60169059789 | Why Choose Dexter?
