Can Americans Buy Chinese A-Shares? Yes—Here’s Exactly How (2026 Guide)

Q: Can Americans Buy Chinese A-Shares? Yes—Here’s Exactly How (2026 Guide)

Forget everything you think you know about investing in China. If you're still relying on NYSE-listed ADRs like BABA, you're exposed to hidden risks and missing the real domestic market. The direct path to owning shares in companies like Kweichow Moutai and CATL is now legally open to Americans. This guide cuts through the misconceptions and reveals the exact, compliant broker platforms and step-by-step process for buying genuine Chinese A-shares from the U.S. in 2026, from account setup to navigating trading hours and taxes.

No Chinese bank account. No residency. No middleman. Just a U.S. passport and the right broker.

If you’re an American investor who’s heard about Kweichow Moutai, CATL, or BYD—and wondered whether you can buy the real Chinese stocks (not just BABA or JD on the NYSE)—you’re in luck.

Yes, you absolutely can buy Chinese A-shares.
And no, you don’t need to break any rules, use sketchy offshore accounts, or move to Shanghai.

Thanks to Stock Connect—a government-approved trading link between Hong Kong and mainland China—U.S. citizens can now legally trade real A-shares from their living room in Texas, New York, or California.

Here’s exactly how it works—and how you can do it today.

❌ What You Can’t Do (Common Misconceptions)

Let’s clear this up first:

Myth	Reality
“I can buy A-shares through Fidelity or Schwab.”	❌ False. These brokers only offer U.S.-listed ADRs (like BABA), which are not actual A-shares and carry VIE/delisting risks.
“I need a Chinese bank account or ID.”	❌ False. No mainland documentation is required.
“It’s too risky or illegal for Americans.”	❌ False. Stock Connect is fully compliant with both U.S. and Chinese regulations.

The truth? You’ve been able to do this since 2014—but most U.S. brokers simply don’t support it. You just need the right platform.

✅ How Americans Can Buy A-Shares: The Stock Connect Path

The key is Northbound Trading via Stock Connect—a system that lets foreign investors buy eligible A-shares through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, without ever touching mainland China’s financial system.

As a U.S. citizen, you access it through international brokers that support Northbound trading and accept American clients.

🏆 Top 3 Brokers That Work for U.S. Investors (2026)

Broker	Website	A-Share Access?	U.S. Clients Accepted?	Key Perk
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)	interactivebrokers.com	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Lowest fees, full market access
Moomoo (Futu International)	moomoo.com	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Free trades, user-friendly app
Tiger Brokers	tigerbrokers.com	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Strong U.S./HK/A-share integration

⚠️ Important: Use the international versions of Moomoo and Tiger—not their China-domestic apps (which block U.S. IPs).

🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Buy A-Shares as an American

Step 1: Open an Account

Go to one of the brokers above and sign up as a U.S. individual. You’ll need:

U.S. passport or driver’s license
U.S. residential address
SSN (for tax reporting under FATCA)

✅ Approval usually takes 1–2 business days.

Step 2: Enable “China A Shares (Northbound)”

In your account dashboard:

Go to Settings → Trading Permissions
Request access to “China A Shares – Northbound”
IBKR users: This is often auto-approved for U.S. accounts

Step 3: Fund Your Account

Deposit USD via ACH, wire, or check.
Your broker will automatically convert USD to offshore RMB (CNH) when you buy A-shares—no action needed.

Step 4: Place Your Order

Search for tickers like:

600519.SS → Kweichow Moutai
300750.SZ → CATL (Contemporary Amperex)
002594.SZ → BYD Company

Place your order during Beijing trading hours (9:30–11:30 & 13:00–15:00 GMT+8 = 9:30 PM–1:30 AM ET).

💡 Tip: Set price alerts—you can’t trade A-shares during U.S. daytime hours.

💰 Fees & Taxes: What Americans Pay

Cost Type	Details
Commission	IBKR: ~0.03% (min ¥8–¥18) Moomoo/Tiger: Often $0 (promotional)
FX Fee	0.02%–0.05% to convert USD → CNH
Dividend Tax	10% withholding tax (mandated by China; automatically deducted)
U.S. Taxes	Report dividends & capital gains on your Form 1040 + Schedule D No double taxation (China tax may be creditable via IRS Form 1116)

✅ Good news: China does not charge capital gains tax on A-shares for foreign individuals.

📈 Why Buy A-Shares Instead of ADRs?

Many Americans default to BABA, JD, or PDD—but these come with hidden risks:

Factor	ADRs (e.g., BABA)	Real A-Shares (e.g., 601939.SS)
Ownership	VIE structure (contractual rights, not equity)	Direct legal ownership
Delisting Risk	High (due to U.S.-China audit disputes)	None
Access to Top Companies	Limited (no Moutai, no CATL, no Wuliangye)	Full access to China’s domestic champions
Valuation	Often discounted due to risk premium	Reflects true domestic sentiment

If you’re serious about China exposure, A-shares are the gold standard.

🎯 Final Advice for U.S. Investors

Start with blue-chip A-shares like CCB (601939.SS) or Moutai (600519.SS)—high liquidity, strong fundamentals.
Use limit orders—A-share markets can gap due to retail-driven volatility.
Don’t time the market—consider dollar-cost averaging given the time zone difference.
Keep ADRs as a small tactical position, but build your core China holdings in A- or H-shares.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Investing in foreign securities involves currency, regulatory, and geopolitical risks. Consult a qualified advisor and review IRS guidelines on foreign investments before proceeding.