Doing business in the UAE involves frequent payments: office and warehouse rent, procurement, and paying contractors or partners. For entrepreneurs from Russia and Ukraine, one of the most convenient ways to transfer funds is cash-to-cash . This format allows money to be transferred from one country to another, bypassing banks and lengthy checks. Let’s explore why cash-to-cash has become a popular tool for businesses, its advantages, and when it’s especially convenient.
What is cash-to-cash?
Cash-to-cash is an exchange format where you deposit cash in your home country (for example, rubles or hryvnia), and a partner or exchange operator in Dubai issues your counterparty the equivalent in dirhams. Essentially, it’s an international cash transfer that operates through a network of intermediaries.
Why businesses choose cash-to-cash
1. Speed of transactions
Speed is important for companies. With cash-to-cash, funds can arrive in Dubai in just a few hours, unlike bank transfers, which take days or even weeks.
2. No blocking
Banks are increasingly imposing restrictions on international payments from Russia and Ukraine. Cash-to-cash allows you to bypass these barriers: funds don’t pass through SWIFT, meaning they’re not subject to freezing or additional checks.
3. Flexibility in amounts
This method is suitable for both relatively small amounts (equivalent to 10,000–20,000 dollars) and large transfers—hundreds of thousands of dollars. The key is to agree on the terms with the operator in advance.
4. Transparency of the course
The exchange rate is fixed in advance, so the entrepreneur knows exactly how much the Dubai partner will receive in dirhams. This is especially important for business transactions where the contract value is specified in AED.
How it works in practice
Let’s say a company from Moscow needs to pay for the delivery of goods to a partner in Dubai. The transaction amount is 200,000 dirhams.
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A company representative transfers rubles to an exchange operator in Moscow.
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The operator records the course and communicates the details to a colleague in the UAE.
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Within a few hours, the partner in Dubai receives 200,000 AED in cash or, by agreement, into an account.
The company fulfills its obligations to its partners quickly and without unnecessary bureaucratic complications.
Benefits of cash-to-cash for business
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Convenience. No need to open a corporate account in the UAE or fill out complex paperwork.
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Reliability. When working with trusted operators, the risk is minimal, and the money goes directly to the partner.
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Flexible format. You can pay either a deposit or the full transaction amount.
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Anonymity. Many entrepreneurs appreciate that cash-to-cash doesn’t require them to disclose unnecessary information.
Limitations and nuances
Cash-to-cash isn’t always suitable for situations where official bank confirmation of a transfer is required. For example, when making payments to government agencies or for transactions where payment must be processed through a check manager.
When working with large sums, it is also important to discuss the terms in advance:
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where exactly the dirhams will be issued;
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will the rate be fixed;
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How is confirmation of transfer drawn up (receipt, act)?
Result
Cash-to-cash payments for business transactions in the UAE are a fast, convenient, and reliable tool that helps companies from Russia and Ukraine work with partners in Dubai without bank delays and unnecessary fees. This method is especially appreciated by entrepreneurs who value speed and predictability.
If you need an official channel, you can use a bank transfer or a check manager. However, for most commercial transactions, cash-to-cash remains the optimal solution, saving both time and money.
