Futures mechanics
What are Exchange Fees, Clearing Fees, and NFA Fees, and how do they aggregate per side?
By Easy Money Scanner · Educational reference · Not investment advice
The short answer
Exchange, clearing, and NFA fees are per-contract charges levied by CME, the clearinghouse, and the regulator, added to broker commissions each side.
How it works
These fees are published in standardized exchange fee schedules and typically charged on both the entry and exit of a trade.
An example
A round-turn ES trade incurs combined exchange, clearing, and NFA fees beyond commission.
Risk & limitations
Fee schedules change periodically; confirm current published rates before estimating costs.
Examples are hypothetical, not trade recommendations. US contract and regulatory references do not automatically apply in Canada. Rules, margin requirements and broker policies can change; confirm them with the relevant authority and your broker.