If you’ve engaged in some less-than-legal activities in Starfield and now possess contraband, you might be wondering how to handle it. While contraband can be a lucrative venture, it comes with risks, especially due to stringent security measures in various star systems. If you’re looking for guidance on how to safely smuggle and sell contraband in Starfield, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading as we provide a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
Where To Sell Contraband in Starfield
If you’ve already explored our guide on selling weapons, items, and gear in Starfield, you may have encountered the useful blue kiosks that connect you to different vendors. However, when it comes to selling contraband in Starfield, you’ll find that only a select few individuals are willing to make such transactions with players. The good news is that you can readily offload your contraband by selling it to the Trade Authority within the game.
The Trade Authority, a prominent commerce entity in the Starfield universe, is more than willing to relieve you of your contraband and provide you with substantial compensation. Here are the steps to successfully sell your contraband to the Trade Authority in Starfield:
- Begin by locating a yellow kiosk at a spaceport. These kiosks can be found in abundance at major settlements throughout the game world. The first one players typically encounter is situated in the city of New Atlantis.
- However, if you’re seeking a more extensive store for contraband sales, you’ll want to make your way to Cydonia on Maris within the Sol System.
- Once you’ve arrived at your chosen location, check your inventory for items that are flagged with a small yellow marker. These are your contraband items, and you can proceed to sell them in exchange for credits.
Safe Havens for Contraband Sales in Starfield
While it’s possible to sell contraband to the Trade Authority in New Atlantis, be aware that carrying illegal items on your ship will result in scans and potential trouble. However, for those who prefer a simpler approach, there are certain stations where players can enter without being scanned, providing a haven for selling and smuggling contraband.
One such station we discovered during our playthrough is located at The Den, a space station within the Wolf System in Starfield. The Den is in orbit around the planet of Chthonia. Despite the system being under UC security control, I was able to approach The Den without being subjected to scans, allowing me to safely transport my contraband to the station. Once there, it’s a straightforward process to visit the Trade Authority store and sell my unlawfully obtained items.
How to Smuggle Contraband Through Restricted Zones
If you’re determined to smuggle your contraband into New Atlantis rather than selling it at The Den, there are a couple of methods you can use. Continue reading to discover what these methods entail:
1. Upgrade Your Ship for Contraband Smuggling
One option to smuggle contraband into controlled systems like New Atlantis is to upgrade your Starfield ship with specific parts designed to conceal your illegal cargo upon arrival. To do this, you’ll need to purchase and install a Shielded Cargo Hold, which is specially designed to hide contraband, and a Scan Jammer, which reduces the chances of being scanned. While not many dealers offer these illicit upgrades, we did find a supplier who can help.
You can acquire the necessary ship parts from Lon Anderssen on Red Mile, located on the Porrima III planet within the Porrima system. This system is situated to the east of the Alpha Centauri system. Once you reach Lon, inquire about upgrading your ship.
In builder mode, add the following components to your ship: the “100CM Ballast Shielded Cargo Hold (1500 Credits)” and a “Scan Jammer – Single Frequency (3000 Credits).” After your ship is equipped with these parts, be sure to place the contraband in the cargo hold, not your inventory. Then, head to a scanned system, and you should pass through without detection, as long as your cargo hold isn’t overloaded.
2. Acquire the Starfield Deception Skill
While the previous section’s upgrades should provide some level of protection, you can further enhance your ability to smuggle contraband in Starfield. Within the second tier of the social skill tree, there’s a dedicated “Deception” skill. By acquiring this skill, you’ll reduce the effectiveness of enemy contraband scanners by 10% at the first level, and this effectiveness can increase up to 50% with further skill upgrades.
When combined with the scan jammer, the deception skill becomes a valuable asset for smuggling contraband into well-guarded cities in Starfield. Additionally, these skills are compatible with various Starfield backgrounds, allowing you to mix and match as needed to suit your gameplay style.
Smuggling Contraband Through Airspace
Once you’ve completed the installation of the aforementioned upgrades and acquired the necessary skills, smuggling contraband into cities in Starfield becomes a feasible endeavor. To illustrate the effectiveness of these measures, I conducted a test by purchasing several cans of Aurora in Neon City and securely stowing them in my ship’s shielded cargo hold. Upon my arrival in New Atlantis, my ship underwent a contraband scan. Thanks to the upgrades I had made, I had a 65% chance of evading detection, and this paid off successfully.
I managed to reach the city without triggering any contraband alerts, effectively smuggling in the illegal goods. It’s crucial to follow the advice mentioned earlier and ensure that you store the contraband in the cargo hold for a successful smuggling operation. So, the next time you find yourself uncertain about selling or smuggling contraband in Starfield, simply follow the steps outlined above to navigate this illicit trade.
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