As we have just featured Amazon in our list of the best tech shares to buy for 2025, we thought it prudent to explain to investors that there are some additional risks for UK investors buying US stocks. So, in this guide, we highlight 5 things that UK investors should be aware of before buying Amazon shares.
1. Check exchange rate fees
When you buy a US stock like Amazon, a hidden cost is often the exchange rate a share dealing platform charges for converting GBP into USD. Some investing apps say they offer zero commission on US stocks but actually charge a high cost to convert your GBP into USD. Exchange rate fees can range from 0.02% all the way up to 1.5%.
Also, keep in mind that you are buying USD, so if the value of the USD drops against GBP your investment will be worth less.
2. Stocks not shares
In the US they refer to Amazon shares as stocks, but they are the same thing…
Amazon is one of the biggest companies in the world, owned by one of the richest men in the world and if you want to own a piece of it, you can do so and profit in their success by buying shares.
3. Understand how to buy Amazon shares from the UK.
To buy shares in Amazon from the UK, you need an FCA-regulated stock broker that provides access to US stocks as they are listed on the NASDAQ stock market like Interactive Investor or Hargreaves Lansdown. You can use our comparison of UK-based share dealing platforms that offer access to international markets and see what they charge for buying and selling US stocks, plus what the foreign exchange conversion costs are for converting GBP into USD.
- Open an account with a share dealing platform that lets you invest in US stocks
- Decide how much you want to buy and deposit fund your account
- As Amazon is a US stock and traded in USD you need to convert your funds to USD. You can either do this before trading or the share dealing platform will do it automatically for you.
- In your share dealing platform type in Amazon’s NASDAQ stock symbol (AMZN) and click “buy”. You can be given the option to buy at the currency price (market order) or set a maximin price at which you want to buy at (limit order).
4. Understand how much does it cost to buy Amazon shares (NASDAQ:AMZN)?
As of 28/02/2025 16:00 buying one Amazon share costs $211.97. However, as well as the $211.97 cost of buying the shares you will also have to pay any relevant tax, commission when you buy and sell shares, custody fees for holding your shares on your account and foreign exchange fees for converting GBP into USD. You also have to consider the difference between the bid price (the price at which you sell shares) and the offer price (the price at which you buy shares). These fees vary depending on what sort of account you open, and with what broker.
As of 28/02/2025 16:00, the current Amazon share price is $211.97 which is a change of 3.22 or 1.54% from the last closing price of 211.97 with 51,771,225 shares traded giving NASDAQ:AMZN a market capitalisation of $2,228,814,056,142. The most recent daily high has been 212.62 and daily low 206.99. The NASDAQ:AMZN share price 52 week high has been 242.52 and the 52 week low 151.61. Based on the most recent NASDAQ:AMZN share price opening of 211.97, the current NASDAQ:AMZN EPS (earnings per share) are 5.53 and the PE (price earnings ratio) is 38.41.
- Further info: Full Amazon share price market data
5. Make sure you compare accounts for buying Amazon shares
This comparison table table of investment accounts shows the commission, FX fees and account costs of investing in Amazon shares from the UK. You can use it to find the most appropriate broker for you or you can read further reviews of the best brokers to buy US stocks.
Here are some of the best accounts for buying Amazon shares
- Interactive Brokers offers the cheapest FX rates for buying Amazon shares
- Hargreaves Lansdown provides an excellent service if Amazon is only going to be a small part of your portfolio.
- Dodl offers a very low account, dealing and fx cost for new and small investors.
- IG offers free US share dealing if you trade a certain amount each month.
| US Stock Buying Platform | US Commission | FX Rate | Account Fee | ISA | Customer Reviews | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 0.5 cents per share | 0.02% | $0 | ✔️ | (Based on 933 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | 0.015 USD/Share (min. 1 USD) | 0.25% | 0.12% - 0.08% | ✔️ | (Based on 73 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | $0 | 0%-1.5% | $0 | ❌ | (Based on 277 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | £3.50 - £5 | 0.75% - 0.25% | 0.25% (max £3.50 per month) | ✔️ | (Based on 1,094 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | £5.95 - £11.95 | 1% - 0.25% | $0 | ✔️ | (Based on 1,760 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | £3.99 | 1.5% - 0.25% | £4.99 - £19.99 per month | ✔️ | (Based on 1,119 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
 | £0 - £10 | 0.5% | $0 - $96 per year | ✔️ | (Based on 678 reviews)
| Visit Broker Capital at risk |
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
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