Starfield: How To Sell Contraband

gameranx.com:

Contraband is the valuable illicit cargo that all reputable settlements will scan for in Starfield. Whenever you enter a settlement, they’ll scan your ship in search for contraband — and that includes drugs like Aurora — and it seems almost impossible to sell early in the game. There are two ways you can sell contraband at the start of your adventure. You’ll need to purchase Shielded Cargo or you’ll need to find ports that are friendly to criminals. We’ll explain how to handle both.

Contraband is a type of illegal cargo that are controlled at all faction colonies. The United Colonies and Freestar Collective will scan you unless you have Shielded Cargo. Even if the illicit goods are in your inventory, you’ll still be caught. Scanning will occur at every settlement or outpost.

If you’re caught, you’ll get a fine and all contraband will be removed. You’ll also lose all stolen goods in your inventory. If you want to sell Contraband without being scanned, you’ll need to acquire Shielded Cargo Holds — or you can go to a settlement that does not scan.

To shield cargo, it must be placed in your ship inventory. If you’re carrying it in your personal inventory, it will be spotted by a scan. If you hide contraband, there is a way to sell contraband at any normal major settlement.

Trade Authority vendors can be found at most major settlements. You’ll find one early in Cydonia (Mars) — there’s one in the Central Hub. If you want to avoid scanning and find an easier port for selling contraband, you’ll need to join the Crimson Fleet.

You can get caught for any level of crime. Even if you sell something worth almost nothing. Any object will work — the security forces will offer you a shop to repay your debt by infiltrating the Crimson