does fidelity charge to sell stocks

Does Fidelity charge to sell stocks?

If you’ve wondered does fidelity charge to sell stocks, this guide walks you through Fidelity’s commission policy, the small regulatory and exchange assessments that can appear on sell orders, common exceptions, sample calculations, and where to verify fees for your account. You’ll finish knowing when a sell order is effectively commission-free and when you should expect nominal pass‑through charges or special-case fees.

Short answer (summary)

Short answer: does fidelity charge to sell stocks? For most retail customers placing online U.S. stock and ETF sell orders, Fidelity generally charges $0 commission, but small regulatory assessments, exchange fees, or product-specific charges can still apply in some cases.

What “zero commission” covers

When asking does fidelity charge to sell stocks, it’s important to know what Fidelity’s “zero commission” policy includes. Fidelity’s $0 online commission primarily covers retail online trades of U.S.-listed equities and U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) executed through Fidelity’s retail online platforms. This means that for a typical retail investor who places an online sell order for U.S. stocks or most ETFs, you will not see a per-trade commission line item.

Scope and typical account types covered

The $0 online commission treatment typically applies to individual and joint taxable brokerage accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, SEP/SIMPLE IRAs, and many other standard retail account types maintained directly by individual investors with Fidelity. Managed accounts, institutional accounts, retirement plan participant accounts, certain employer/plan-sponsored accounts, and specialized custody arrangements may follow different fee schedules.

In practice, ask yourself whether your account is a standard retail brokerage or an institutional/plan-managed account — that often determines whether the $0 online standard applies.

Fees and assessments that may still apply when selling

Even when the headline commission is $0, you may still see small, itemized charges associated with a sell transaction. Answering the question does fidelity charge to sell stocks requires understanding these pass-through and special-case fees.

Activity assessment fees / sell-side assessments

Some sell transactions can include a small activity assessment or sell-side regulatory assessment. These are not broker commissions but pass-through assessments tied to regulatory or self-regulatory organization (SRO) costs. Historically, firms have collected and remitted tiny per-dollar-of-principal amounts (often expressed as cents per $1,000 traded). For most modest retail sell orders, that translates to a few cents or a few tenths of a dollar on a trade of thousands of dollars.

These assessments vary and can change, so while the answer to does fidelity charge to sell stocks is generally “no commission,” expect occasional nominal assessments on the sell side.

Regulatory and exchange fees (Section 31, options regulatory fees)

Regulatory fees such as SEC Section 31 fees are assessed based on aggregated reporting and may be passed through to customers on sell transactions where applicable. Options trades carry separate regulatory and clearing fees in addition to the per-contract charge that brokers may apply. These fees are typically small and vary by transaction type and underlying product.

Broker-assisted and telephone (FAST) trades

If you place a sell order through a Fidelity representative or use automated telephone execution services, broker-assisted or FAST trades often incur a per-trade service charge. These fees reflect the additional handling and are materially higher than the $0 online commission that applies to self-directed online trades.

Mutual fund redemptions and short-term trading fees (not stock trades)

Mutual fund sales (redemptions) are treated differently from stock sells. Certain no-transaction-fee funds or non-Fidelity funds may impose short-term trading or redemption fees if sold within a specified holding period. These are product-level fees rather than typical equity sell commissions, so when considering does fidelity charge to sell stocks, remember mutual funds and ETFs are separate categories with distinct policies.

ETFs and special transaction-based service fees

Most ETFs trade commission-free online, but a limited number of ETFs might carry a transaction-based service fee. If you plan to sell an ETF, verify whether it’s in Fidelity’s commission-free list or flagged as having a transaction fee.

Fixed-income, bonds and other instruments

Selling bonds, CDs, or trading in secondary fixed-income markets follows different pricing rules. These trades may include mark-ups, markdowns, or per-bond charges instead of a simple commission schedule. Thus, the simple answer to does fidelity charge to sell stocks does not extend to fixed-income products.

Examples and sample calculations

Concrete numbers make the effect of small assessments clearer when you ask does fidelity charge to sell stocks. Here are practical examples:

• Example 1 — Simple stock sell: Sell $10,000 of a U.S. stock through Fidelity’s online platform. Online commission: $0. Regulatory assessments passed through might amount to roughly $0.01–$0.03 per $1,000 of principal (example range). On $10,000, that’s approximately $0.10–$0.30 in assessments — essentially negligible relative to trade size.
• Example 2 — Options sell: Sell 1 put option contract online. Fidelity often charges a per-contract fee for options (the per-contract fee varies and should be confirmed). Suppose the per-contract fee is $0.65 plus small regulatory fees — the transaction would show the per-contract charge and any applicable clearing or exchange fees. This is an area where sell-side costs are more visible than for straightforward stock sells.
• Example 3 — Broker-assisted sell: Sell $5,000 in stock via a representative. Typical broker-assisted fees can range from $25–$50 or higher per transaction depending on the broker’s published schedule. That is why placing orders online is far cheaper for most investors.

How fees are displayed and where to check them

Fidelity lists trade-level charges on confirmations and in the account activity or trade confirmation pages. To confirm whether any charges apply to a sell order, check the trade confirmation and the account activity detail — itemized lines show commission, regulatory fees, and any transaction-based service fees. Fidelity also publishes comprehensive fee schedules and commission PDFs for precise figures used by different account types and services.

Exceptions and special cases

There are several exceptions to the default answer of does fidelity charge to sell stocks that are worth noting:

• Institutional and advisory accounts: Institutional platforms, advisor-managed accounts, or accounts run through workplace retirement plans can follow separate pricing schedules that include commissions or different fee arrangements.
• Employee stock plan transactions: Employee stock purchase or sale processing through plan administrators may include administrative or transfer fees not part of retail online trading.
• Foreign or ADR trades: Trades involving foreign securities or American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) may carry separate fees, foreign tax withholding, or other charges beyond normal U.S. stock sell assessments.
• Directed orders and special routing: If you direct order routing or engage in block trades and special executions, different costs can apply.
• Small or fractional-share sells: Fractional-share programs may have their own pricing terms. See the FAQ below for more specifics.

How to avoid or minimize fees

If you’re focused on minimizing costs when you ask does fidelity charge to sell stocks, here are practical steps:

• Place trades online through Fidelity’s self-directed platform rather than using broker-assisted services.
• Use Fidelity’s commission-free ETFs and Fidelity mutual funds without transaction fees when possible.
• Hold mutual funds and certain products beyond short-term windows to avoid redemption or short-term trading fees.
• Consolidate accounts where permitted and review account type details — some accounts may have fee waivers or different pricing.
• Review trade confirmations and the published fee schedule before executing larger or specialized trades.

If you prefer exchange and custody services from a Web3-friendly provider, consider exploring Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet for crypto and tokenized asset custody and trading. For traditional brokerage sell orders in U.S. stocks, following the tips above helps keep costs minimal.

Regulatory and policy change considerations

When people ask does fidelity charge to sell stocks, remember that regulatory fees and broker fee schedules change over time. SEC assessments, SRO costs, and exchange fee structures can shift, and brokers update published commission and fee schedules periodically. Always check the latest official materials from Fidelity before trading.

As of 2026-01-22, according to Fidelity’s published pricing pages and commission schedule, retail online U.S. stock and ETF trades are commission-free for standard retail accounts, though the firm continues to pass through applicable regulatory and exchange fees. Verify dates and figures against the current official fee schedule before relying on a specific numeric amount.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do I pay a commission when I sell a U.S. stock online?

Generally no — online sell orders for U.S.-listed stocks and most U.S. ETFs placed in retail accounts are covered by Fidelity’s $0 online commission policy. However, small regulatory assessments or product-specific fees can still apply.

Are fractional-share sells charged?

Fractional-share programs can have separate terms. Fidelity offers fractional share trading; check Fidelity’s fractional trading terms and account activity for any minute rounding or assessment details. Typically, fractional-share sells do not carry traditional per-trade commissions but verify in your account agreement.

Will I be charged for an international sell?

Internationally listed securities, ADRs, or foreign exchange trades may be subject to foreign transaction fees, currency conversion charges, or other specific fees that differ from the standard U.S. online stock sell treatment.

Do options sells incur fees?

Yes — options trades generally involve a per-contract fee and may include regulatory and clearing fees. Options are typically not commission-free in the same way as U.S. stock trades, so confirm the per-contract rate and any additional pass-through fees before trading.

How are fees shown on my statement?

Look at the trade confirmation and the account activity section; Fidelity lists itemized fees including commission (if any), regulatory assessments, and exchange fees. For detailed numbers, consult the broker’s published commission and fee schedule.

Where to find official, up-to-date information

To confirm the current answer to does fidelity charge to sell stocks for your exact account and product, consult Fidelity’s official published resources and documents. Key documents to review include Fidelity’s pricing and fees overview, trading commissions and margin rates page, stock trading overview, trade placement FAQs, and the full brokerage commission and fee schedule PDFs. Check the date on each document to ensure you’re looking at current information.

Contact Fidelity customer service or your account representative for account-specific questions or if you manage institutional or plan accounts with custom pricing.

References

Sources consulted for this article include Fidelity’s official pricing and trading materials and a supplementary broker review. For precise wording and the latest fee figures, consult the named sources below:

• Fidelity — "Straightforward and Transparent Pricing" (pricing & fees) — Fidelity official pricing pages.
• Fidelity — "Trading Commissions and Margin Rates" — Fidelity trading commission and margin documentation.
• Fidelity — "Stock Trading overview" — Fidelity’s overview for retail stock trading.
• Fidelity — "Trading FAQs: Placing Orders" — Fidelity trade placement FAQs.
• Fidelity — Brokerage Commission and Fee Schedule (PDF) — detailed fee schedule published by Fidelity.
• Fidelity — Brokeragelink commission schedule (PDF) — historical/alternate schedule documentation.
• NerdWallet — Fidelity review — used as supplementary confirmation of $0 online commission context.

As of 2026-01-22, according to Fidelity’s published pages and fee schedule, the overall headline remains that online U.S. stock and ETF trades are commission-free for retail accounts, with the caveat of possible regulatory or product-specific fees.

More practical next steps

If your goal is low-cost trading of U.S. equities and ETFs, place orders online, verify the product you trade is on the commission-free list, and review the settlement and confirmation details for any small pass-through charges. For those exploring digital assets and Web3 custody, consider Bitget Wallet for secure custody and Bitget’s exchange services for token trading and other crypto products.

Want more help? Check your Fidelity account trade confirmation after a sell order to see exactly which, if any, fees were applied. For account-specific or institutional questions, contact Fidelity support for a definitive fee quote based on your account type.

Final notes

Remember the core takeaway when considering does fidelity charge to sell stocks: for most retail investors placing online sell orders of U.S. stocks and ETFs, Fidelity does not charge a commission, but small regulatory assessments or special-case fees may still appear. Always verify the most current fee schedule for your account and product before trading.

Explore Bitget’s educational materials and tools if you want to compare trading models across asset classes or learn about Web3 custody solutions like Bitget Wallet.