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Samsung is one of those brand names that is everywhere, phones, TVs, appliances, semiconductors. But buying Samsung stock from Canada is not as straightforward as picking up shares of a US-listed tech company. Samsung Electronics is listed on the Korea Stock Exchange, not on the NASDAQ or NYSE, and that adds a few extra layers to the process. It is still doable, but you need to know what you are working with before you start.
Where Is Samsung Stock Listed?
Samsung Electronics trades on the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX) under the ticker 005930. It is not listed on any major North American exchange, which is why you will not find it by searching for “Samsung” on most standard Canadian brokerage platforms.
Samsung shares are also available through OTC (over-the-counter) markets in the US, where they trade in USD under an OTC identifier. For most Canadian investors, the OTC route tends to be the more practical option, since direct KRX access requires a broker that specifically supports the South Korean market, and that is less common.
One thing to be aware of: the KRX operates in Korean Standard Time, with trading hours roughly 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. KST. That translates to about 8:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Not exactly prime trading hours for anyone in Canada.
Can Canadians Buy Samsung Stock?
Yes, but the path is a bit more involved than buying a stock listed on the NASDAQ or NYSE. There are two main routes.
The first is direct KRX access. Some Canadian and international brokerages support trading on the Korea Stock Exchange. If yours does, you can buy Samsung shares directly on the KRX in Korean Won. This gives you access to the primary listing with full liquidity, but it requires a brokerage that explicitly offers international market coverage for South Korea.
The second is the OTC market. Samsung’s OTC-listed shares trade in USD during US market hours, which is more convenient from a time zone perspective. However, OTC listings generally have lower trading volume and wider bid-ask spreads compared to the primary KRX listing, which can affect the price you get when buying or selling.
Not every Canadian brokerage offers either of these options, so it is worth checking what international market access your platform provides before you assume Samsung is available to you.
Step 1 – Open a Brokerage Account with International Market Access
To buy Samsung, you need a self-directed brokerage account that supports either KRX trading or OTC market access. The sign-up process is standard, personal identification, Social Insurance Number, address, employment details, and an assessment of your investment knowledge.
For account type, a non-registered account is most commonly used for internationally-listed stocks like Samsung. International market access is less consistently available within registered accounts such as TFSAs or RRSPs, though some brokerages do support it. It depends on the platform.
Step 2 – Fund Your Account and Understand Currency Conversion
If you are going the KRX route, Samsung trades in Korean Won (KRW). Most Canadian brokerages do not offer direct CAD-to-KRW conversion, so the process may involve converting CAD to USD first, and then to KRW through an international broker. It is not as seamless as buying a US-listed stock.
If you are going the OTC route, the shares trade in USD. That means a simpler CAD-to-USD conversion, which most Canadian brokerages handle routinely.
Either way, currency risk is layered with Samsung. You are exposed to fluctuations between the Canadian dollar and whichever currency the shares are denominated in, plus conversion costs on each transaction. It is one of the trade-offs of investing in internationally-listed stocks outside of the US.
Step 3 – Find Samsung Stock and Confirm the Correct Ticker and Listing
If you are buying on the KRX, search for “005930” or “Samsung Electronics” and confirm the exchange is KRX with pricing in KRW. Samsung also has preferred shares listed on the KRX under a different ticker, the ordinary shares (005930) are the standard equity class that most investors look for.
If you are using the OTC route, search for Samsung’s OTC identifier on your platform and confirm the listing is on the OTC market with USD pricing.
Take a moment to verify you are looking at the right share class and exchange. Samsung has multiple listings, and selecting the wrong one could mean buying preferred shares or trading on an exchange you did not intend.
Step 4 – Place Your Buy Order
For an internationally-listed stock like Samsung, you have the same basic order types, market order and limit order, but with some extra considerations.
If you are buying directly on the KRX, remember those trading hours: roughly 8:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time. You will need to place your order during that window for it to execute in real time. Orders submitted outside KRX hours may queue or not go through at all.
If you are buying on the OTC market, trading follows US market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern), which is more practical. Keep in mind that OTC liquidity is typically lower, so a limit order may be a sensible choice to avoid paying more than you intended due to a wider spread.
On the order form, you will enter the ticker or identifier, the number of shares, your order type, and review the estimated total in the relevant currency before confirming.
Tax Considerations for Canadians Buying Samsung Stock
If you sell Samsung shares at a profit, the gain is treated as a capital gain under Canadian tax law. The CRA provides guidance on how capital gains are included in your taxable income.
Samsung pays dividends, and South Korea withholds tax on dividends paid to non-residents. The Canada-Korea tax treaty provides a reduced withholding rate, though the specific rate can change. For the current treaty rate, consult the CRA or a qualified tax advisor.
If you hold significant foreign property, you may also need to file a T1135 (Foreign Income Verification Statement) with the CRA. There is a threshold that triggers this filing requirement, a tax professional can tell you whether it applies to you.
Foreign stock investing comes with more tax paperwork than domestic investing. It is not overwhelming, but it is worth being aware of before you buy.
What Are the Risks of Buying Samsung Stock from Canada?
Concentration risk. As with any individual stock, you are tying your investment to a single company’s performance.
Currency risk. Whether you are holding in KRW or USD, you are exposed to exchange rate movements relative to CAD. Samsung adds an extra layer here compared to US-listed stocks.
Geopolitical and regulatory risk. Samsung is a South Korean company, and its stock can be influenced by Korean corporate governance norms, political developments in the region, and trade relations.
Liquidity risk. If you buy through the OTC market, trading volumes are typically much lower than on the KRX. That can mean wider bid-ask spreads and less favorable pricing when you buy or sell.
Limited Canadian investor protections. Foreign-listed stocks are outside the Canadian regulatory framework. The protections you are used to with Canadian-listed securities may not apply in the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Samsung Electronics is listed on the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX). It is also available through OTC markets in the US, but it is not on the TSX, NASDAQ, or NYSE.
On the KRX, Samsung Electronics trades under ticker 005930. On OTC markets, it trades under a separate OTC identifier in USD.
It depends on your brokerage. International market access within registered accounts like a TFSA is less commonly offered than US market access. Check whether your brokerage supports KRX or OTC trading within a TFSA.
On the KRX, Samsung trades in Korean Won (KRW). On OTC markets, it trades in USD. Either way, your CAD will need to be converted.
The Korea Stock Exchange (KRX) is South Korea’s main stock exchange. Trading hours are approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Korean Standard Time, which translates to roughly 8:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Profits are treated as capital gains under Canadian tax law. Dividends from Samsung are also subject to South Korean withholding tax, with a reduced rate under the Canada-Korea tax treaty. Consult a tax advisor for details.
Yes. Samsung shares trade on US OTC markets in USD. This is often the more accessible route for Canadian investors, though OTC listings typically have lower liquidity than the primary KRX listing.
Samsung ordinary shares (005930 on the KRX) are the standard equity class with voting rights. Preferred shares trade under a different ticker and typically offer a higher dividend yield but no voting rights.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We are not licensed financial advisors, brokers, or dealers. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal.
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