Kia Corporation(KIMTF)— Korean ADR Guide
2026 live implied price · ADR ratio 1:1 · US-Korea dividend tax guide
Kia Corporation (KRX: 000270) is a leading Korean automotive company listed on KOSPI. In the US, it trades on the OTC market as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) under the ticker KIMTF. Hyundai Motor Group's #2 brand. Strong EV lineup (EV6, EV9) and growing US market share. This page provides the live implied USD price based on the Korean share price, the ADR ratio (1 ADR = 1 ordinary share), the US-Korea dividend tax treaty treatment, and a US resident's guide to buying.
How US residents can buy Kia Corporation (KIMTF)
- 1. Pick a broker. Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) all support trading KIMTF (an unsponsored OTC ADR). IBKR has the cheapest commissions ($0.005/share, $1 minimum); Schwab and Fidelity are commission-free for most US stocks but may charge a foreign fee for OTC ADRs.
- 2. Place the order. Search for ticker KIMTF. Because OTC stocks have wide bid-ask spreads, always use a limit order rather than a market order.
- 3. Trading hours. Standard US market hours, 9:30am–4:00pm ET. KIMTF prices are heavily influenced by the prior KOSPI close, but FX moves and US market sentiment during Korean market hours can cause gaps up or down.
Kia Corporation ADR Dividend Taxation (US-Korea Tax Treaty)
- Korean withholding tax: 15% (preferential rate under the US-Korea treaty, vs. the standard 25%)
- US side: Claim a Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) to offset US tax owed on the same dividend income, avoiding double taxation
- Depositary bank (BNY Mellon, Citibank, etc.) ADR fee: typically $0.01–$0.05 per share, deducted automatically at dividend payment
- Form 1042-S: brokers issue this annually (late January) showing Korean tax withheld
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Kia Corporation from a US brokerage account?
Conditionally. KIMTF is an unsponsored ADR (Pink Sheets) traded over-the-counter. Most major US brokers (Schwab, IBKR, Fidelity) support it, but some restrict buying. Expect wider bid-ask spreads and lower liquidity than NYSE/NASDAQ stocks.
How are KIMTF dividends taxed?
Under the US-Korea tax treaty, Korean withholding tax of 15% is deducted first. US residents can claim a foreign tax credit (Form 1116) to offset this against US tax owed. When Kia Corporation pays dividends, ADR holders receive the equivalent in USD (after a small depositary fee).
Why does KIMTF sometimes trade at a different price than the Korean shares?
In theory, the ADR price should equal (Korean share price ÷ exchange rate) × ADR ratio. In practice, premiums or discounts arise from (1) time-zone gaps — Korea's market closes before US trading begins, (2) USD/KRW exchange rate moves, (3) limited ADR liquidity, and (4) arbitrage costs. Unsponsored OTC ADRs especially can have wide spreads and larger gaps.
What does an ADR ratio of 1:1 mean?
It means 1 ADR represents 1 ordinary share of Kia Corporation. With a 1:1 ratio, you only need to apply the USD/KRW exchange rate to compare prices directly.