Star Citizen trading: the beginner's money loop
Buy low, haul, sell high. A low-risk first way to earn, and how to start cheap.
Trading is one of Star Citizen's most reliable ways to earn UEC: buy commodities cheap at one location, haul them, and sell them dearer somewhere else. It is low-risk, beginner-friendly, and a great first money loop. Here is how it works and how to start.
How trading works
- Buy low. Commodity prices vary by location. Buy a cargo of something cheap (for example refined metals or agricultural goods) where it is plentiful.
- Haul it. Load it into your ship's cargo grid and fly to a place where it sells higher.
- Sell high. Pocket the difference. Reinvest into bigger loads as your funds grow.
Use in-game trade tools and community price sites to spot the best buy/sell routes. The bigger your cargo hold and your starting capital, the bigger the profit per run.
What you need to start trading
A ship with some cargo space and a bit of starting money. Good news for new players: your referral bonus gives you a head start. Sign up with STAR-JTV7-FXLR and your account gets 50,000 UEC of in-game currency, which is real seed capital for your first trade runs.
The cheap way to begin
- Get in cheap
The Citizen Starter Pack at $45 includes the RSI Aurora Mk II, which has a little cargo space to learn with.
- Take the bonus
Sign up with STAR-JTV7-FXLR for 50,000 UEC of UEC, your starting trade capital.
- Earn up to a hauler
Run small trades, reinvest, and buy or rent a bigger cargo ship in-game as you grow. Ships by role.
Trading rewards patience and good routes, not a big wallet. Start with the Citizen Starter Pack ($45) and STAR-JTV7-FXLR for 50,000 UEC of seed capital, and build from there.
Frequently asked questions
How does trading work in Star Citizen?
Buy commodities cheap at one location, haul them in your ship's cargo hold, and sell them higher elsewhere, keeping the difference. It is a low-risk, beginner-friendly way to earn UEC. Start with a Starter Pack and the 50,000 UEC bonus from code STAR-JTV7-FXLR as seed capital.
What is the best ship for trading as a beginner?
Start with the cargo space in a cheap starter (the RSI Aurora Mk II in the Citizen Starter Pack), then earn or rent a dedicated hauler in-game as your funds grow. You do not need to buy a big ship with real money.
How do you make money trading in Star Citizen?
Find routes where a commodity is cheap to buy and sells higher elsewhere, haul a full load, and reinvest the profit into bigger runs. The 50,000 UEC referral bonus (code STAR-JTV7-FXLR) gives you starting capital.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
One click pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR into the RSI signup form. Finish the account, buy a $40 or larger Game Package, the bonus is yours.
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR