As an experienced smuggler in Starfield with over 200 hours of playtime, I can provide useful tips and strategies for transporting and selling illegal contraband while avoiding detection from authorities.
Table of Contents
What is Contraband
Contraband refers to illegal items in Starfield that incur penalties and bounties if discovered in your possession. They include:
- Drugs like Aurora
- Organic matter like Xenofungus
- Weapons and explosives
- Stolen artifacts and artwork
Contraband is marked with a yellow icon in your inventory. Carrying them risks confiscation and imprisonment if your ship gets scanned when landing on faction-controlled planets.
However, the high selling prices make smuggling risky but profitable. For example, rare artwork can sell for over 100,000 credits each.
Smuggling Contraband Safely
To smuggle contraband safely:
1. Install Shielded Cargo Modules
Equip shielded cargo modules on your ship to reduce the chance of contraband detection when scanned:
- Shielded Cargo Hold
- Signal Jammer
With maxed out deception skill and modules, detection chance can drop below 10%.
2. Avoid Patrolled Systems
Land only at unmonitored locations to avoid ship scanning. Good options are:
- The Den station in the Wolf system
- Your own outpost with storage
- Non-faction planets and moons
Faction capitals like New Atlantis have security scans when landing.
3. Store in Settlement Stash
If stopping at a faction city, temporarily store contraband by picking up a settlement stash from the local tavern. The 150 lb capacity stash allows short-term hiding of items.
Where To Sell Contraband
Once safely landed with your contraband, suitable vendors include:
- Trade Authority terminals
- Highest credit prices
- Available on stations and cities
- Black market dealers
- Offer missions to unlock
- Pay reasonably well
Avoid regular vendors – they will not deal in illegal goods.
The Den station is the premier location to fence contraband. With no scans, and both Trade Authority and black market traders present, it is a smuggler’s paradise.
Dealing With Confiscation
If caught by authorities, contraband will be confiscated but can be reclaimed:
- Pay fine at administrator’s office
- Pick lock on confiscated goods locker
- Regain contraband
- Also unlocks unique quest line
So while initially inconvenient, confiscation can become profitable.
Advanced Strategies
For seasoned smugglers, additional tactics include:
- Stealth armor / camo outfit
- Reduces detection risk on foot
- Max out deception skill tree
- Better evasion both on foot and in ship
- Establish network of outpost bases
- Provide secure storage across systems
- Focus on most valuable contraband
- Artwork, expensive drugs etc.
- Cooperate with factions
- Unlocks special vendors and hideouts
With the right preparation and techniques, millions can be made trafficking illegal goods across the Settled Systems. Just be ready to evade, bribe or fight off any obstacles along the lucrative smuggler’s road.
So equip your ship, build up your skills, and take to the stars in search of forbidden riches. There’s wealth for those brave enough to seize it among the contraband caches of Starfield!
