A smuggler, also known by the euphemism free trader, is someone who engages in the clandestine shipment of goods or people to prevent taxation by Imperials. The goods shipped are often highly illegal or banned in some sectors.
In the words of Lando Calrissian:
"A good smuggler can handle just about anything-they fly through asteroid fields, play tag with nebulas and space storms, and they can land on anything. Nothing fazes them. I've seen them land ships while fighting uneven gravity fields on asteroids barely bigger than their vessels. Gravity shifts, atmospheric turbulence, sandstorms, blizzards, typhoons...you name it, they know how to handle it."
Requirements include:
- The ability to avoid attacks from pirates and opportunists who would attempt to steal your cargo
- Knowledge on how to avoid some of the most lawless star systems in order to remain safe
- Keen skills to avoid trouble, and a modified ship not only for better cargo capacity, but also for greater speed and defense
- Knowledge of smaller and less well-known routes to skirt Imperial strong points within the galaxy