Money transfers and exchanges can be organized in a variety of ways. One of the simplest and oldest formats is called hand-to-hand . Literally meaning “from hand to hand,” this means money is transferred directly from sender to recipient, without intermediaries or additional instruments.
What is hand-to-hand?
Hand-to-hand is the personal transfer of cash from one person to another. No banks, intermediaries, checks, or exchange services are involved. It’s as simple as that: you have cash, and you hand it over to the person it’s intended for.
Example:
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A person flies from Moscow to Dubai and brings dollars or dirhams with him.
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Upon arrival, he hands them over to his partner, relative or friend.
This format existed long before the advent of modern translations and is still used today, especially where a personal meeting is important.
What are the advantages of hand-to-hand?
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Maximum simplicity. Money is transferred directly, without any additional tools.
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No intermediaries. You know exactly who you’re giving your money to.
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Flexibility. You can transfer any currency and any amount (within import/export regulations).
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Reliability comes from trust. If these are relatives, close friends, or reliable partners, the risk is minimal.
Disadvantages and limitations
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Physical transfer. You need to carry money across borders, which always comes with risks and limits.
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Amount restrictions. Different countries have limits on the import and export of undeclared currency.
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Reliability. Everything is based on trust: if someone doesn’t fulfill their agreement, it will be difficult to get your money back.
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Inconvenience for large transactions. This method is impractical for purchasing real estate or a car.
Hand-to-hand vs. table-to-table
At first glance, these formats are similar, but there is a fundamental difference:
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Hand-to-hand is the transfer of money in person between the sender and the recipient.
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A table-to-table arrangement is a meeting between two parties through intermediaries: one gives money in Moscow or Kiev, the other receives it in Dubai.
That is, “table to table” is more of a cash exchange through a network of intermediaries, while hand-to-hand is a direct personal transfer.
Result
Hand-to-hand is the oldest method of transferring money, still relevant for personal meetings and trusting relationships. It’s simple, straightforward, and requires no intermediaries. However, for serious transfers and large transactions, it’s better to use more reliable and modern tools such as cash exchange, hawala, or banking services.
