Abstract: A portable smart card reader assembly having an upper housing unit (25) having a first mounting structure (28,29), and a lower housing unit having a second mounting structure (20, 21), the upper housing unit (25) and the lower housing unit (12) together defining a cavity (50) for accommodating an electronic insert (17), the electronic insert (17) having a connector (2) for establishing electric contact with an associated electronic device and a contact array (8) having terminals (51, 52) designed to mate with contact pads on a smart card (7) upon insertion of the smart card (7) into the portable smart card reader assembly (1), wherein upon mating the upper housing unit (25) with the lower housing unit (12) the first mounting structure (28,29) and the second mounting structure (20, 21) move into locking engagement.