Balance Enquiry

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Note:

The balance enquiry function is currently only available for Gift Cards

What is a Balance Enquiry?

A balance enquiry is a way to check the remaining funds available on a card. Since many cards are preloaded or topped up with a set amount, it's useful to verify the current balance before making a transaction.

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Note:

Every balance enquiry request needs to include Authentication


Balance Enquiry Request

POST

The following API call types are available for a balance enquiry, ensure to make use of the correct endpoint.

API CALL TYPESENDPOINT
Asynchronous/v/1/payment/async
Synchronous/v/1/payment/sync

Example: Balance Enquiry

BODY

The following is an example of a BALANCE_ENQUIRY request body

{
    "launchType": "BALANCE_ENQUIRY",
    "merchantID": "merchantID",
    "posId": "posId",
    "serialNumber": "serialNumber"
}
String apiUrl = "https://paymentuat.test.thumbzup.com/posbuddy-cloud/v/1/";

JSONObject requestBody = new JSONObject();
requestBody.put("launchType", "BALANCE_ENQUIRY");
requestBody.put("merchantID", merchantID);
requestBody.put("posId", posId);
requestBody.put("serialNumber", serialNumber);

// See Authentication for details of the generateHeaders function
Map<String, String> headers = generateHeaders(secretKey, accessKey, userAgent, serialNumber, posId);
RequestBodyEntity request = Unirest.post(apiUrl + "payment/sync")
        .headers(headers)
        .body(requestBody.toString());

HttpResponse<JsonNode> response = request.asJson();
# See Authentication page for details of the variables
RESPONSE=$(curl --request POST \
  --url "$API_URL/v/1/payment/sync" \
  --header "X-pos-id: POS-STORE123-TERM01" \
  --header "X-tu-authorization: protocol:TU1,accesskey:$ACCESS_KEY,signedheaders:User-Agent;X-tu-date;X-tu-random,signature:$SIGNATURE" \
  --header "X-tu-random: $RANDOM_VAL" \
  --header "X-tu-serial: $SERIAL_NUMBER" \
  --header "X-tu-date: $TU_DATE" \
  --header "User-Agent: $USER_AGENT" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data "{
    \"launchType\": \"BALANCE_ENQUIRY\",
    \"merchantID\": \"$MERCHANT_ID\",
    \"posId\": \"POS-STORE123-TERM01\",
    \"serialNumber\": \"$SERIAL_NUMBER\",
  }" \
 )

Request Body Fields

The following table describes the REQUIRED request body fields of the BALANCE_ENQUIRY request message.

FIELDTYPEDESCRIPTIONEXAMPLE
REQUIRED
launchTypeSTRINGMust be “BALANCE_ENQUIRY”.
Used for launching POSBuddy Cloud to process a balance enquiry.
BALANCE_ENQUIRY
merchantIDSTRINGThe merchant ID assigned to the merchant.
The merchant ID will always be the same ID for a specific merchant.
To be provided by Ecentric.
910100000000001
posIdSTRINGThe POS ID is a unique identifier for the originating Point of Sale terminal. In multi-terminal environments, each device requires a distinct alphanumeric identifier (e.g., POS1, POS2, CHECKOUT_A).POS-STORE123-TERM01
serialNumberSTRINGThe serial number of the target payment terminal for this payment request.PC05P2CG10036

Balance Enquiry Response

Result Codes

RESULTCODEDESCRIPTION
01Successful transaction
02Declined transaction
03Aborted transaction
04Error occurred with the transaction

API Call Types

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Note:

Please take note of the tables below around the API Call Type that is being used and the response type that can be expected per API Call Type.

API CALL TYPESRESPONSE TYPEDESCRIPTION
AsynchronousWebhookIf the POS is making use of the Asynchronous REST API call, the POS will receive a JSON BODY response for a balance enquiry request, however the JSON BODY response will just be a confirmation that POSBuddy cloud received the request. Once the balance enquiry is finalised on the terminal, a webhook callback is sent to the POS to confirm the transaction outcome. The webhook is mandatory when making use of Asynchronous REST API calls.

Please refer to the Webhook section to set up webhooks.
SynchronousJSON BODYIf the POS is making use of the Synchronous REST API call, the POS will receive a JSON BODY response for a balance enquiry request.

The POS has the option to also receive a webhook response for the balance enquiry request, however this is optional.

Example: Balance Enquiry

📘

Note:

The following is only applicable for Gift Cards.

Within the Receipt Data two additional fields will be sent in the response:

  • AVAILABLE_BALANCE_CENTS AND AVAILABLE_BALANCE_FORMATTED: Shows completed transactions (i.e. where the advice message has been sent for that day’s deposits).
    • Reflects the total amount available on the card, excluding any newly deposited funds
  • CURRENT_BALANCE_CENTS AND CURRENT_BALANCE_FORMATTED: Shows the completed + incomplete transaction values (what the balance will be once the advice messages have been sent).
    • Reflects the total amount available on the card, including any newly deposited funds

BODY

The following is an example of a BALANCE_ENQUIRY response body the POS Application will receive.

{
    "resultDescription": "APPROVED",
    "buildInfo": "Ecentric",
    "isReceiptDataAvailable": true,
    "resultCode": "01",
    "receiptBundle": {
      "MERCHANT_REGION_CODE": "09",
      "RC_ALT": "00",
      "CASH_AMOUNT_CENTS": "0",
      "SEQ_NO": "000",
      "STATUS": "APPROVED",
      "BUDGET_PERIOD": "0",
      "CARD_TYPE": "",
      "PAN_WITH_BIN": "445143******2309",
      "MERCHANT_ID": "770000000000123",
      "TIMESTAMP": "1745476020950",
      "EXTERNAL_TRANSACTION_DATETIME": "",
      "PROCESSING_CODE": "0",
      "RC_DESCRIPTION": "Approved",
      "EXTERNAL_INVOICE_GUID": "",
      "CURRENT_BALANCE_CENTS"= "800000",
      "REPLACEMENT_MERCHANT_ID": "",
      "BATCH_NO": "000",
      "AVAILABLE_BALANCE_FORMATTED" = "R 8000.00",
      "AUTH_PROFILE": "0",
      "INTERCHANGE": "null",
      "ESC_BY_AUTH_CODE": "226 00 IH 15882",
      "TX_TYPE": "0",
      "ACC_TYPE_DESC": "Default",
      "AVAILABLE_BALANCE_CENTS" = "800000",
      "TIP_AMOUNT": "",
      "CURRENCY_CODE": "0710",
      "AUTH_CODE": "15882",
      "RC": "00",
      "AID": "A0000000031010",
      "ATC": "055D",
      "CRY": "13A531FAFC4D29F6",
      "CVM": "none",
      "IAD": "06010A03A04000",
      "PAN": "************2309",
      "RRN": "511427060006",
      "TSI": "0000",
      "TVR": "0000000000",
      "APSN": "",
      "DATE": "2025-04-24T06:27:06.749+0000",
      "STAN": "",
      "NAME_ON_CARD": "UnknownCardholderName",
      "AMOUNT_CENTS": "1000",
      "ABS_AMOUNT": "10.00",
      "TOKEN": "",
      "RECEIPT_NUMBER": "",
      "EXTENDED_TRX_TYPE": "",
      "TERMINAL_ID": "77012398",
      "TX_TYPE_DESCRIPTION": "INQUIRY",
      "EXTERNAL_TERMINAL_ID": "",
      "FORMATTED_AMOUNT": "R 10.00",
      "DESCRIPTION": "511427060006",
      "BATCH_NUMBER": "0",
      "SETTLEMENT_DATE": "",
      "SURCHARGE_AMOUNT": "0.00",
      "CURRENT_BALANCE_FORMATTED" = "R 8000.00",
      "EXTERNAL_TRANSACTION_GUID": "",
      "CARD_BIN": "445143",
      "TRANSACTION_INFO": "22600IH15882",
      "REPLACEMENT_TERMINAL_ID": "",
      "POS_ENTRY": "701",
      "RC_ISO_DESCRIPTION": "Approved or completed successfully",
      "APPLICATION_LABEL": "VISA SAVINGS",
      "MERCHANT_CITY": "Cape Town",
      "MERCHANT_NAME": "Istore",
      "CUSTOMER_NAME": "",
      "APP_VERSION": "",
      "CARD_SEQ_NO": "0",
      "APP_LABEL": "VISA SAVINGS",
      "INVOICE_NUM": "",
      "MESSAGE_1": "",
      "MESSAGE_2": "",
      "CARD_TRANSACTION_TYPE": "CONTACTLESS",
      "FORMATTED_CASH_AMOUNT": "R 0.00",
      "CASH_AMOUNT": "0.00",
      "RESULT_CODE": "00",
      "MERCHANT_COUNTRY_CODE": "ZA",
      "REPRINT": "false",
      "PAN_HASH": "3f5c9f528a4bfa5d5e4137824d0b08491b5bc30b062ad778a818770f10771019",
      "AMOUNT": "10.00",
      "TIP_LABEL": "",
      "DIGITS": "2309",
      "CVM_ABSA": ""
    },
    "merchantID": "770000000000123",
    "serialNumber": "PF5544544664",
    "posId": "POS-STORE123-TERM01",
    "launchType": "BALANCE_ENQUIRY",
    "transactionUuid": "bdf9d0af-17b3-48ca-8a0b-37dc52bf49bc",
    "appVersion": "1.9.2",
    "transactionAmount": "0"
}

Response Body Fields

The following table describes the response body fields of the BALANCE_ENQUIRY response message.

FIELDSTYPEDESCRIPTIONEXAMPLE
launchTypeSTRINGEcho of the launchType used in the POSBuddy Cloud request.BALANCE_ENQUIRY
resultCodeSTRINGRepresents the result status of the intent call to the Ecentric Payment App
● 01: SUCCESSFUL
● 02: DECLINED
● 03: ABORTED
● 04: ERROR
01
resultDescriptionSTRINGA user readable representation of the above resultCode i.e. Approved for resultCode 01.
If the bank or switch approves or declines the transaction, the response description is included in this field.
APPROVED
merchantIDSTRINGEcho of the merchantID used in the request.910100000000001
merchantNameSTRINGThe name of the merchant that requested the transaction as stored at the bank.Merchant A
transactionAmountSTRINGApproved total transactionAmount.1000
transactionDescriptionSTRINGEcho of the transactionDescription used to launch the Ecentric Payment App.3rd party app desc
isReceiptDataAvailableSTRINGBoolean indicating whether a receiptBundle object is available. Will always be included for approved or declined transactions.true
receiptBundleSTRINGConsists of a sub-bundle of server parameters that can be used by the partner application to create a receipt.See BALANCE_ENQUIRY response body.
appVersionSTRINGThe software version currently running on the Ecentric Payment App.1.9.2
externalSTANSTRINGEcho of the systems trace number generated by some 3rd party ERP systems.123456
externalRRNSTRINGEcho of the RRN generated by some 3rd party ERP systems.ABCDEF123456
externalTransactionGUIDSTRINGEcho of the GUID that identifies a specific transaction generated by 3rd party ERP systems.2fdca02f-3cbe-4e8c-82ad-86a1a16b72e8
externalInvoiceGUIDSTRINGEcho of the GUID that identifies a particular invoice that may appear on more than one transaction.2fdca02f-3cbe-4e8c-82ad-86a1a16b72e9
externalTransactionDateTimeSTRINGEcho of the date and time the transaction was generated on the 3rd party ERP systems. Has the format of “yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss”2017-04-28T09:30:00
externalTerminalIdSTRINGEcho of the terminal identifier for device configured on the 3rd party ERP system.98100010
transactionUuidSTRINGEcho of the Unique ID of a transaction.bdf9d0af-17b3-48ca-8a0b-37dc52bf49bc
terminalIdSTRINGThis is an automatically system-assigned terminalID of the payment terminal’s identity number, which can be used to assist with settlement information and is returned in BASE36 format.77012398
latitudeSTRINGEcho of geolocation identifier indicating the latitude position of the device.-28.1619942
longitudeSTRINGEcho of geolocation identifier indicating the longitude position of the device.30.2350981
accuracySTRINGEcho of accuracy indicator of the geolocation.
serialNumberSTRINGThe serial number for the device that was used for the RETAIL_AUTH intent call.PC05P2CG10036
posIdSTRINGEcho of the posId present in the request.POS-STORE123-TERM01

Example: Errors

The following table contains typical errors that might occur and how to handle these errors:

ERROR MESSAGESOLUTION
Incorrect merchantID/ not presentEnsure that you have entered the correct merchantID.
posId is not presentEnsure that you include the posId in your request.
serialNumber not presentEnsure that you include the serialNumber in you request.
Terminal <serial_number> is offlineEnsure the requested terminal is turned on and has established a valid connection to POSBuddy Cloud.
launchType not presentEnsure you provide the launchType “BALANCE_ENQUIRY”

BODY

The following is an example of a BALANCE_ENQUIRY ERROR response body that the POS Application will receive.

{	
    "resultDescription": "ERROR",
    "errorBundle": {
      "description": "ERROR",
      "reference": "",
      "errorType": "TRANSACTION",
      "message": "Error communicating with server"
    },
  "buildInfo": "Ecentric_DEBUG_Ecentric_INT",
  "isReceiptDataAvailable": "false",
  "resultCode": "04",
  "merchantID": "910100000000001",
  "serialNumber": "PC05P2CG10036",
  "posId": "POS-STORE123-TERM01",
  "launchType": "BALANCE_ENQUIRY",
  "appVersion": "1.9.8"
}