How to transfer US shares to a UK account

If you have investments in the US but need to manage them in the UK, you might be looking to transfer US shares to a UK broker. Many people do this after relocating, consolidating accounts or switching to a UK-based platform that suits their needs better.

But how does the process work? And how easy is it? Find out everything you need to know here in this handy guide, where we’ll answer all your burning questions about transferring US shares to a UK broker.

Plus, we’ll explain how Wise can help you avoid unnecessary currency conversion fees along the way.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

Can you transfer US shares to a UK broker without selling them?

Yes, you can transfer US stocks and shares to a UK broker without selling them.¹ As long as your UK broker can hold the asset in question, you can do it through something known as an in-specie transfer.

Your new UK broker simply has to request the asset directly from your current US broker which means you can avoid triggering a sale and therefore creating a tax event.

How does transferring shares from a US broker to a UK broker work?

An international transfer process is similar to transferring between brokers in the same country. The only difference is that cross-border communication is required between the two institutions.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Start the transfer with your UK broker. You’ll need to confirm they accept transfers in and can hold the specific UK stock you own. You can do this by submitting an in-specie transfer request, giving details of your US account and the assets you want moved. It’s important that accurate details are provided as small errors such as name mismatches can cause delays
2. The US and UK brokers coordinate. The two will communicate with each other regarding the re-registration of your shares
3. Your shares are moved. The transfer can take anything from several days to several weeks depending on the brokers involved. Once approved, the assets appear in your UK brokerage account.

Can I transfer US shares to a family member or beneficiary through a UK broker?

Yes, you can transfer shares to another person or even a company. To do it, you’ll need to complete a stock transfer form (known as a J30 form) and send it to HMRC.² You can get the form from your UK brokerage.

Bear in mind that there may be tax implications when you give shares away, so it could be worth getting professional advice first.

Transferring US shares to a spouse’s UK broker account

It may be possible to transfer US shares directly to a spouse’s account with a UK broker, but it can be a complicated process. This is why it pays to get in touch with individual brokers to discuss their policies.

The best way to do it may be to apply for a transfer of your US shares into a UK brokerage account in your own name, then complete a J30 stock transfer form to give them to your spouse.²

This ensures the correct registration and avoids complications with cross-border ownership.

📚 How to transfer money to spouse

Is it possible to transfer US shares to an ISA?

You can’t directly transfer US shares into a UK ISA using the above mentioned in-specie transfer. Instead, the process is called ‘Bed and ISA’, which is where your broker sells your US shares and immediately repurchases them in your ISA.³

You’ll need to contact your UK broker platform to find out more about whether it offers this for international shares. Bear in mind that this may also have tax implications. For example, it technically counts as a disposal for tax purposes so can trigger Capital Gains Tax.³

Can I transfer US shares using a share certificate?

Yes, it is possible to transfer US shares with a share certificate, although how exactly it works may vary depending on your broker and the process can be slow. The share certificate will need to be signed and this signature ‘guaranteed’ before a transfer can take place.⁴

Save on USD → GBP conversion when funding your UK broker with Wise

When you transfer US shares to a UK broker, the shares themselves typically move without any currency conversion. But many investors still need to exchange money between USD and GBP. For example, this might occur when:

• Selling US shares before reinvesting or buying shares with a UK broker
• Topping up a UK brokerage account using USD
• Withdrawing proceeds or dividends from a US broker into GBP
• Moving cash after closing a US investment account

What’s more, different brokers and banks may also include hidden markups to their exchange rates, which can add further costs to any conversions.

That’s where Wise comes in allowing you to:

• Convert money at the mid-market exchange rate (with no hidden costs)
• Pay low and transparent fees*
• Hold both USD and GBP until the exchange rate is favourable
• Send large transfers through the Wise dedicated large transfer service, ideal if you have more significant investment proceeds or are rebalancing your portfolio
• Get a return on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed)

You can fund your UK broker with Wise or move proceeds into Wise after selling your US shares, helping you to control FX costs during or after your transfer.

Hold funds in your chosen currency until you’re ready to invest, then use your Wise account to fund your transaction on your chosen investment platform.

You can even set up exchange rate alerts so that you can wait for the time and the rate that suits you.

What’s more, if you’re planning a large movement of funds, you can also contact the Wise team for personalised support or request a callback via phone or email.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

Sources used:

1. Money Box App - in-specie transfers
2. Gov.uk - stamp duty and stock transfer forms
3. ii - transferring stocks into an ISA
4. AJ Bell - transferring stocks

Sources last checked on date: 02-Dec-2025