Has anyone done a stock transfer from Schwab to IB? e.g. using ACATS?

Is the process free? A hassle?

If it just works and there are not large administrative charges, it would be preferable to selling transferring cash and re-buying again.

From what I can tell it should cost $25 for partial transfer and freeze my accounts for a few days.

But why? Holding at Schwab is free and SIPC coverage is per account

schwab seems limited mostly to the US and there are some stocks I'd like to buy on other exchanges.

some i already bought through phone broker, but if i can do this through web interface, it would be much more convenient.

isn't holding at IB also free?

if SIPC coverage is per account, wouldn't it make sense to split between more accounts?

Yes, as long as you hold > 100K in assets with them.