Star Citizen 4.0.2: How to Make Money (aUEC) Using Cargo Trading

Want to make some serious Star Citizen aUEC through cargo trading? Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your strategy, this guide will take you through everything—from choosing the right trade routes to loading your ship manually (because, yeah, auto-loading is still broken). Let’s dive into our guide on Star Citizen 4.0.1 making Money (aUEC) through Cargo Trading. 

Step 1: Finding the Best Trade Routes for Cargo in Star Citizen 4.0.2

You don’t want to just wing it when hauling cargo. The key to maximizing profit and minimizing risk is using trade route tools.

One of the best options out there is SCTradeTools, a go-to resource for traders looking to streamline their operations and maximize earnings.

How to Use ScTradeTools Like a Pro

1- Visit the Website – No complicated setup needed. Just hop onto ScTradeTools and you're good to go.

2- Select “Trade Routes” – This section allows you to fine-tune your trading plan by factoring in your ship type and available funds.

3- Enter Your Ship Model – Different ships have different cargo capacities, so make sure to input the correct one. For this guide, we’re using Star Runner Max.

4- Input Your Budget – Your starting funds determine how much cargo you can invest in. For example, if you’ve got 15 million aUEC, you can aim for larger trades.

5- Apply Filters to Optimize Your Route:

• Pure Profit Mode – This setting finds the best possible deals based on your budget.

• Avoid High-Risk Zones – If you’re not a fan of getting ambushed by pirates, exclude Pyro from your trade route options.

• Set Security Levels – Not all locations offer the same level of safety:

  • No Security – High-risk, but can have lucrative deals.

  • Monitored Zones – NPCs and security presence; attackers get a crime stat.

  • Armistice Zones – No combat allowed, but cargo theft is still possible.

  • Private Hangars – The safest option for loading and unloading cargo securely.

Once you've customized your preferences, hit submit, and ScTradeTools will generate the best trade routes based on real-time data.

For this run, the tool suggests buying gold from Glen Station and selling it at Wide Forest Station—a solid profit opportunity with minimal risk.

This ensures you're making the most of your cargo space and budget while keeping your investments as safe as possible.

Step 2: Calculating Cargo Capacity

To maximize efficiency and avoid wasted space, properly loading your ship is just as important as choosing the right trade route.

A great resource for optimizing cargo placement is Erec’s Cargo Spreadsheet, a go-to tool for traders looking to squeeze every last credit out of their hauls.

This handy spreadsheet provides a breakdown of optimal cargo sizes for each ship, helping you make the most of your available storage.

Star Runner Max – Ideal Cargo Setup

For the Star Runner Max, an efficient cargo loadout looks like this:

• 6 x 32 SCU Boxes – These are your large-capacity containers, perfect for maximizing bulk storage.

• 8 x 4 SCU Boxes – These smaller containers help utilize every bit of remaining space, filling in gaps that larger boxes can't.

• Proper Placement Matters:

  • Larger boxes should be placed along the sides of the cargo bay to create a stable base.

  • Smaller boxes can be stacked neatly at the back, ensuring everything is secure while maintaining an organized layout.

By following this optimized setup, you avoid wasted space, reduce unnecessary shifting during flight, and maximize profit potential per run. Plus, a well-organized cargo hold makes unloading faster and smoother, cutting down on downtime between trades.

Step 3: Buying and Loading Cargo

Now that you've planned your trade route and optimized your cargo space, it's time for the most crucial step—buying and loading your goods.

A smooth purchasing process and a well-executed loading strategy will save you headaches and keep your profits secure.

Where to Buy

Your first stop is Glen Station’s Galleria, where you’ll find the Admin Office—the go-to place for high-value commodities.

If you’re new to the area, just look for the yellow building—that’s usually where the trading action happens.

Purchasing the Cargo

To avoid inventory issues and ensure smooth transactions, follow these steps when making your purchases:

1. Select the Station Inventory – This ensures your purchases go into the proper holding area before you transfer them to your ship.

2. Buy the Largest Boxes First – Start with the six 32 SCU boxes of gold, as these take up the most space.

3. Purchase the Smaller Boxes Next – Grab the eight 4 SCU boxes to fill in the remaining cargo space efficiently.

4. Total Cost Estimate – Expect to spend around 1,135,000 aUEC for a full load, which will net you a solid return upon resale.

Loading Your Cargo

WARNING: Auto-loading is completely broken in version 4.0.2—DO NOT use it unless you want your cargo to disappear into the void forever. Instead, manually load your ship using the steps below.

How to Load Cargo Properly:

1. Call Your Ship Manually – Always request your ship from inside the station. Avoid using external terminals, as they can bug out and prevent access.

2. Use a Max Lift Tractor Beam – The Max Lift is great for hauling heavy loads, but if you want an easier experience, go for the Atlas model, which provides better control.

3. Align Your Ship with the Cargo Ramp – A properly positioned ship makes loading smoother and prevents any last-minute shuffling.

4. Move the Large Boxes First – Start with the 32 SCU containers, placing them securely along the sides of the cargo hold.

5. Stack the Smaller Boxes Last – The 4 SCU containers should be carefully positioned in any remaining gaps to maximize efficiency.

6. Snap Everything into Place – Double-check that all boxes are secure and locked in, preventing unwanted movement during transit.

Once your cargo is fully loaded and locked down, you’re ready for takeoff!

Time to head toward Wide Forest Station and turn that gold into cold, hard aUEC.

Step 4: Transporting & Selling Cargo

Now that your ship is fully loaded, it’s time for the most nerve-wracking part—getting your haul safely to Wide Forest Station and cashing in on your hard work.

This is where things can go wrong if you're not careful, so follow these steps to minimize risk and maximize profits.

Flying Safely to Wide Forest Station

Transporting high-value cargo isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about avoiding pirates, security scans, and unexpected ambushes.

Here’s how to fly smart:

1- Watch for Interdictions – NPC pirates and even real players might try to pull you out of Quantum Travel to steal your cargo.

• Keep your shields powered up and be ready to boost away if necessary.

• If you get stopped, don’t panic—assess the threat before engaging. Sometimes, escaping is better than fighting.

2- Use Quantum Travel Strategically – Avoid well-known trade routes that pirates frequently camp.

• Instead of heading straight to Wide Forest Station, consider taking a less direct path with one or two detours to throw off potential pursuers.

3- Plan Your Landing for Maximum Security – Once you arrive at Wide Forest, don’t use the open landing pads.

Instead:

• Request a Private Hangar – This prevents opportunistic players from sneaking in and messing with your ship.

• Touch down smoothly and power down quickly—no unnecessary delays.

Selling at the Admin’s Office

Once you’ve safely landed, it’s time to turn your cargo into profit!

Head straight to the Admin’s Office in the Galleria and follow these steps:

1. Locate the Trade Terminal – It’s usually near the front desk where other traders cash in their goods.

2. Access Local Inventory – Select the Local Inventory option to see your stored cargo.

3. Max Out Your Sale – Sell as much as the terminal allows per transaction.

4. Hit Confirm & Watch the Profits Roll In – Depending on market demand, you should see a solid return on your investment.

Once you've sold everything, congratulations—you’ve successfully completed a high-value cargo run without losing a single SCU!

Time to check the market for the next big opportunity.

Step 5: Calculating Profits

Now for the best part—counting your earnings! The trade route estimator predicted a 200,000 aUEC profit, but the real-world numbers often fluctuate due to market demand, cargo efficiency, and speed.

Let’s break it down:

1. Total Revenue: After selling all the gold, we pulled in 1,456,000 aUEC.

2. Total Investment: The initial cost for the cargo was 1,135,000 aUEC.

3. Final Profit: That leaves us with a solid 321,000 aUEC profit—way better than expected!

4. Time Spent: The entire run, from buying to selling, took 35 minutes—which means we made about 9,000 aUEC per minute.

For a single cargo run, this is a fantastic return, especially considering the short time investment.

If you can repeat this trade route twice per hour, that’s over 640,000 aUEC per hour—easily one of the most profitable Cargo Trading methods in Star Citizen 4.0.2, right now!

Final Thoughts

Cargo trading in Star Citizen 4.0.2 is one of the best ways to make aUEC, but it comes with risks. If you’re careful, avoid dangerous zones, and stick to profitable routes, you can make a steady income.