To sell contraband in Starfield, the best and safest place is The Den, a space station located in the Wolf system. This is because The Den does not scan your ship upon arrival, allowing you to avoid detection by United Colonies (UC) security while carrying contraband. Once docked at The Den, you can sell your contraband at the Trade Authority shop inside the station. This location is especially recommended early in the game to avoid fines or jail time from being caught with contraband on your ship. If you want to sell contraband elsewhere, you need to use a "Shielded Cargo Hold" ship module to smuggle the contraband past security scans in orbit around planets. If caught, you risk fines, jail, or loss of the contraband. Another good option, if involved with the Crimson Fleet questline, is to sell contraband at The Key, a pirate base in Kryx, where law enforcement does not enforce the rules, making it safe to sell illegal goods. Trade Authority vendors have limited credits to buy contraband, but you can reset their credits by waiting for 48 in-game hours. Selling contraband directly to sales associates is necessary; kiosks do not buy contraband. Key tips:
- Head straight to The Den in the Wolf system to sell without scans.
- Obtain and equip a Shielded Cargo Hold to smuggle contraband if selling elsewhere.
- Selling at The Key base is safe for Crimson Fleet players.
- Use waiting mechanics to reset vendor credits to sell more.
- Invest in the Commerce skill to get better prices on sales.
This approach helps maximize profits from contraband while minimizing the risks of fines or jail.
