A credit card terminal, or EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale), is the device by which a sales transaction may be debited directly to a customer's bank account at the point of sale. With a credit card terminal, a debit or credit card is all the customer needs to pay for goods or even withdraw cash at a merchant store. Electronic credit card terminal technology has become standard in supermarket and store checkout counters, but these machines are also widely used by banks and other organizations.

In order to use a credit card terminal, a store may attach an existing cash register. However, mobile and wireless credit card terminal technology is also available nowadays. Thanks to this technology, taxi companies, pizza deliveries, and even concession trailers now offer EFTPOS service. This type of credit card machine can make a transaction more accurate, faster, and convenient for both merchants and customers.

In face-to-face transactions, customers swipe their credit or debit card at the point of service through a card reader. Their total purchase is paid electronically with funds from their credit or checking account, regardless of where in the world that money is located. In fact, credit card terminals are now available worldwide and are commonly used by locals and tourists in many countries throughout the world.

Many people now routinely use credit cards to pay for all their transactions. However, there are certain laws and regulations which might limit their use. In certain countries or regions, for instance, banks charge customers for every debit or credit card transaction. In other cases, transactions fees are applied to merchants every time the credit card terminal is used.