ROB RUN Contraband Workbench: How to Use It
Quick answer: To use the Contraband Workbench in ROB RUN, place it in a free station slot at your base, put one damaged Contraband Cargo in its slot and wait about 30 minutes. It repacks into Premium Cargo, which you sell to a Smuggler. Unlocking costs about $20,000 to research plus $20,000 to buy (community-reported).
Last updated: 13 November 2026. The Contraband Workbench is how ROB RUN's contraband business works: it turns cheap, damaged Contraband Cargo into valuable Premium Cargo. This guide shows how to unlock it, use it, upgrade it and cash out within your seven-day wipe cycle.
Contraband guides: 1. How to get contraband → 2. Use the workbench (this page) → 3. Where to sell contraband
What the Contraband Workbench does
It repacks damaged Contraband Cargo into Premium Cargo for sale. Fan-wiki game data: "Repacks contraband cargo from Looty Bay goods into legal-looking stock." [W]
Contraband is one of ROB RUN's official base businesses. On launch day Kefir "massively increased profits from base businesses, including farms, labs, contraband, and more." [K]
Don't mix it up with the regular Cargo Workbench, which opens other shipments. Community guides say it won't accept Contraband Cargo, and the Contraband Workbench won't take ordinary crates like an Electronics Crate. [W]
How to unlock and place it
Research it for $20,000, buy it for $20,000, then slot it into your house. The path below is community-documented. [W]
- Rent a plot. You need a base in a settlement that has an owner. Since launch, Tier 1 rentals cost documents instead of cash. [K]
- Research: press H → Shipments → Larry's Tree → Furnishings → Contraband Workbench ($20,000). [W]
- Buy: from the Black Market laptop in your base ($20,000). [K][W]
- Place: interact with the wall blueprint in your house → Modification → drag the bench into a free station slot. Slots: Trailer 1, Small House 2, Mansion 3, Workshop 4. [W]
Need the cargo first? See how to get contraband in ROB RUN.
How to use the Contraband Workbench
Load one Contraband Cargo, wait 30 minutes, collect Premium Cargo. [W]
- Bring damaged Contraband Cargo to your base.
- Put it in the bench's single cargo slot.
- Wait about 30 minutes. You can leave and do other things.
- Collect the Premium Cargo. Fan-wiki game data lists it at $35,000 at the Smuggler before bonuses.
- Haul it to a Smuggler. Full selling guide: where to sell contraband.
Workbench upgrades: Label Printer and Tool Box
Kefir confirms workbenches "can also be upgraded using modules." Fan wikis name two modules for this bench. [K][W]
| Module | Effect | Community-reported cost / requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Label Printer | Faster repacking | $15,000 research + $30,000 (uncommon version) |
| Tool Box | More cargo space | $150,000 research + $200,000; level 2 settlement |
Costs come from one community guide (robrun.run) and are unverified by Kefir. [W]
Protect the business
A profitable base gets raided, so fuse it. Kefir: install fuses in your Security System so attackers need "far more time and resources", and use defense modules to alert allies. Clans help too: "allies can hold off raiders better than any defense module." [K] Full checklist: how to defend your base.
Launder the profits
Launder Smuggler cash at your base so it can't be stolen. Open a bank account at the Looty Bay Bank as a Civilian, then use the Laundering Desk. Kefir massively increased how much the desk can hold at launch. Settlement owners take a cut of what residents launder. [K]
Contraband and the wipe
Everything is wiped in your server's Federal Raid every seven days. Start the loop early, reinvest mid-cycle, and stop buying cargo in the last day so you don't hold unsold stock. Check your server on the wipe timer. [K]
More contraband guides
- How to get contraband in ROB RUN: where to buy Contraband Cargo, prices and the resident discount.
- Where to sell contraband in ROB RUN: Smuggler vs Fence, Premium Cargo value and safe hauling.
Sources
- Steam News: First Changes & Server Schedule (Nov 4, 2026) — [K] Steam "First Changes & Server Schedule", 4 Nov 2026
- Steam News: Base Management (Oct 16, 2026) — [K] Steam "Base Management", 16 Oct 2026 (modules, item-based building, laptop)
- Steam News: Power Pyramid (Oct 28, 2026) — [K] Steam "Power Pyramid", 28 Oct 2026
- Steam News: Gameplay Overview (Sep 17, 2026) — [K] Steam "Gameplay Overview", 17 Sep 2026
- Kefir Help Center: How do I become a cop? — [K] Help Center – become a cop
- Kefir Help Center: How do I rent a plot for my base? — [K] Help Center – rent a plot
- Kefir Help Center: How do I protect my base from raids? — [K] Help Center – protect base
- Kefir Help Center: How do I open a bank account and why launder money? — [K] Help Center – bank account & laundering
- Kefir Help Center: What is the Federal Raid wipe? — [K] Help Center – Federal Raid
- robrunwiki.com/en/mechanics/game-data/ — [W] ROB RUN Wiki – game systems reference (bench, Label Printer, Tool Box)
- robrun.info/en/mechanics/cargo/ — [W] ROB RUN Info – Cargo and Production (Premium Cargo $35,000)
- robrun.run/guides/money/contraband/ — [W] robrun.run – contraband (30-min loop, slots, upgrade costs)
- tposegaming.com/rob-run-contraband/ — [W] TPose Gaming – contraband (unlock path)
- www.indiatimes.com/game-guides/rob-run-contraband-guide-how-to-buy-cargo-unlock-the-workbench-and-earn-money-from-smugglers/articleshow/135680464.html — [W] Indiatimes – contraband guide
Last updated:
FAQ
How do you use the Contraband Workbench in ROB RUN?
Put one Contraband Cargo into the bench's cargo slot and wait about 30 minutes; it becomes Premium Cargo. Take that to a Smuggler's Van to sell. You don't need to stand next to the bench while it works.
How do I unlock the Contraband Workbench?
Community guides say: research it in Shipments (H) → Larry's Tree → Furnishings for $20,000, buy it from the Black Market laptop for $20,000, then place it via your house's wall blueprint → Modification.
What does the Contraband Workbench make?
It has one job: repacking damaged Contraband Cargo into Premium Cargo. It doesn't open other crates; that's the Cargo Workbench.
How do you upgrade the Contraband Workbench?
Kefir confirms workbenches take modules. Fan wikis list two for this bench: a Label Printer that speeds up repacking and a Tool Box that adds cargo space.
How do you make money with contraband in ROB RUN?
Buy Contraband Cargo (community-reported $5,000–$10,000), repack it into Premium Cargo (fan-wiki value $35,000), and sell to a Smuggler. Kefir massively increased contraband profits at launch.
Can cops take my contraband?
Yes. Cops earn their pay partly by seizing contraband, and they can confiscate a Criminal's bags and cargo.
Does contraband survive the wipe?
No. Bases, items and cash are wiped in your server's Federal Raid every seven days.