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system
what dictates the costs of creating an options contract? (commissions breakdown)
user
i'm not positive my answer is complete, but from information on my broker's website, the following fees apply to a us option trade (which i assume you're concerned with given fee in dollars and the mention of the options clearing corporation): they have more detail for other countries -- see https://www.interactivebrokers.co.uk/en/index.php?f=commission&p=options1 for north america.  use the sub-menu near the top of the page to pick europe or asia. the brokerage-charged commission for this broker is as low as $0.25 per contract with a $1.00 minimum.  though i've been charged less than $1 to sto an options position, as well as less than $1 to btc an options position, so not sure about that minimum. regarding what i read as your overall underlying question (why are option fees so high), in my research this broker has one of the cheapest commission rates on options i've ever seen.  when i participate in certain discussions, i'm routinely told that these fees are unbelievable and that $5.95, $7.95, or even $9.95 are considered low fees.   i've heard this so much, and discussed commissions with enough people who've refused to switch brokers, that i conclude there just isn't enough competition to drive prices lower.  if most people won't switch brokers to go from $9.95 to $1 per trade, there simply isn't a reason to lower rates.
assistant