I smuggle a lot and have never had to use silent running and never get fined. Here are some tips:

• drop out of jump from within the orbit of the station. (i.e. between the planet and the station.) In most cases, this will leave you with the docking bay facing you).

As quickly as possible:

• boost (keyboard:TAB) and set your speed to maximum (keyboard:#4). Aim for ~1.5km directly outside the station entrance (or near the end of advertising billboards, if the station has them). Keep hitting boost.
• maximum pips to engine, other pips to shields (ideally, do this before dropping out of supercruise)
• Request docking as late as possible. I usually get it done around 5km. Keep on hitting boost while you're looking for the contact in the console. (I'm not sure if this really helps)
• as late at you are comfortable (~3km), reduce speed 50% (#2 on the keyboard) and keep this speed as you enter the mailslot. Usually I enter the station around 100km/h. The red circle at the back of the station should appear in the center of the mailslot -- this is the best way to know if you are correctly lined up.

I do this every time -- I have an Asp. I'm usually not scanned -- but when I am, I'm always inside the station by the time it finishes.

Whatever you do, don't boost as you enter the mailslot -- you'll either hit the entrance or far wall inside. Set you speed to maximum if you think a scan might complete before you're inside. If you do boost by accident, setting maximum pips to shields can help avoid destruction.

When leaving with illicit cargo, simply boost away from the station as soon as possible. Try not to exit in front of another ship. If you do, put them behind you.

I smuggle a lot and have never had to use silent running and never get fined. Here are some tips:

• drop out of jump from within the orbit of the station. (i.e. between the planet and the station.) In most cases, this will leave you with the docking bay facing you).

As quickly as possible:

• boost (keyboard:TAB) and set your speed to maximum (keyboard:#4). Aim for ~1.5km directly outside the station entrance (or near the end of advertising billboards, if the station has them). Keep hitting boost.
• maximum pips to engine, other pips to shields (ideally, do this before dropping out of supercruise)
• Request docking as late as possible. I usually get it done around 5km. Keep on hitting boost while you're looking for the contact in the console. (I'm not sure if this really helps)
• as late at you are comfortable (~3-4km), reduce speed to 75% (F3 on the keyboard) and keep this speed as you enter the mailslot. Usually I enter the station around 180km/h. The red circle at the back of the station should appear in the center of the mailslot -- this is the best way to know if you are correctly lined up. One thing to note -- at high speeds, your ship drift in the direction it was heading for a long time leading to over-corrections. Small course corrections work much better.

I do this every time -- I have an Asp. I'm usually not scanned -- but when I am, I'm always inside the station by the time it finishes.

Whatever you do, don't boost as you enter the mailslot -- you'll either hit the entrance or far wall inside. Set you speed to maximum if you think a scan might complete before you're inside. If you do boost by accident, setting maximum pips to shields can help avoid destruction.

When leaving with illicit cargo, simply boost away from the station as soon as possible. Try not to exit in front of another ship. If you do, put them behind you.

I smuggle a lot and have never had to use silent running and never get fined. Here are some tips:

• drop out of jump from within the orbit of the station. (i.e. between the planet and the station.) In most cases, this will leave you with the docking bay facing you).

As quickly as possible:

• boost (TAB) and set your speed to maximum (#4 on keyboard). Aim for ~1.5km directly outside the station entrance (or near the end of advertising billboards, if the station has them). Keep on hitting boost.
• maximum pips to engine, other pips to shields (ideally, do this before dropping out of hypderdrive)
• Request docking as late as possible (not sure if this helps). I usually get it done around 5km. Keep on hitting boost while you're looking for the contact in the console.
• as late at you are comfortable (~3km), reduce speed 50% (#2 on the keyboard) and keep this speed as you enter. Usually I enter the station around 100km/h

I do this every time -- I have an Asp. I'm usually not scanned -- but when I am, I'm always inside the station by the time it finishes.

Whatever you do, don't boost as you enter the station -- you'll either hit the entrance or far wall inside. Set you speed to maximum if you think a scan might complete before you're inside.

When leaving with illicit cargo, simply boost away from the station as soon as possible. Try not to exit in front of another ship. If you do, put them behind you.

I smuggle a lot and have never had to use silent running and never get fined. Here are some tips:

• drop out of jump from within the orbit of the station. (i.e. between the planet and the station.) In most cases, this will leave you with the docking bay facing you).

As quickly as possible:

• boost (keyboard:TAB) and set your speed to maximum (keyboard:#4). Aim for ~1.5km directly outside the station entrance (or near the end of advertising billboards, if the station has them). Keep hitting boost.
• maximum pips to engine, other pips to shields (ideally, do this before dropping out of supercruise)
• Request docking as late as possible. I usually get it done around 5km. Keep on hitting boost while you're looking for the contact in the console. (I'm not sure if this really helps)
• as late at you are comfortable (~3km), reduce speed 50% (#2 on the keyboard) and keep this speed as you enter the mailslot. Usually I enter the station around 100km/h. The red circle at the back of the station should appear in the center of the mailslot -- this is the best way to know if you are correctly lined up.

I do this every time -- I have an Asp. I'm usually not scanned -- but when I am, I'm always inside the station by the time it finishes.

Whatever you do, don't boost as you enter the mailslot -- you'll either hit the entrance or far wall inside. Set you speed to maximum if you think a scan might complete before you're inside. If you do boost by accident, setting maximum pips to shields can help avoid destruction.

When leaving with illicit cargo, simply boost away from the station as soon as possible. Try not to exit in front of another ship. If you do, put them behind you.