In Escape from Tarkov, a good knowledge of the map plays a big role in surviving the raids. The “Customs” map is considered a beginner map. Get the information you need here to survive the adventure on this map.
In the hardcore shooter Escape from Tarkov, everything revolves around loot, rubles, and survival in an area filled with ruthless opponents. Good knowledge of the map is invaluable.
To help you in the fight on Customs, you will find everything you need for a hopefully successful raid here.
Map for Starters: Customs – Here are the Exits
Why is this the beginner map? The trader Prapor offers you the quest “Debut” to start. You need to kill 5 SCAVs on Customs for the weapons trader and bring him a few weapons. It’s sensible to do this right away, as this will help you increase your standing with the trader.
Over time, the Customs map has become the starter map, and many players begin their hardcore adventure on Customs.
Where are the extraction points? The map offers 24 extraction points that are shown in-game in either German or English. 9 of the points can be the saving destination for your PMC raids, and 17 are available for SCAVs.
It starts all the way on the left at “Crossroads” and then continues east to the last point “Factory Far Corner”.
PMC Extraction Points
- 1 – Crossroads
- 2 – Trailer Park
- 6 – Smugglers Boat
- 7 – RUAF Roadblock
- 10 – ZB-1013 (Needs electricity/Factory Exit Key required)
- 11 – Dorms V-Ex (Costs 7,000 rubles)
- 15 – Old Gas Station
- 18 – ZB-1012
- 23 – ZB-1011
SCAV Extraction Points
- 1 – Crossroads
- 3 – Trailer Park Workers Shack
- 4 – Railroad to Port (North)
- 5 – Railroad to Tarkov (South)
- 7 – RUAF Roadblock
- 8 – Sniper Roadblock
- 9 – Warehouse 17
- 12 – Old Road Gate
- 13 – Factory Shacks
- 14 – Old Gas Station
- 16 – Warehouse 4
- 17 – Road to Military Base
- 19 – Passage between Rocks
- 20 – Military Base CP
- 21 – SCAV Checkpoint
- 22 – Admin Gate
- 24 – Factory Far Corner
Beginners Need Map Knowledge for Good Loot
In our Tips for Beginners, we recommend some fundamental things for a frustration-free start. You need some basic knowledge about the layout of the map to develop a tactic for your raid.
If you are new to a map, exploring the surroundings should be your top priority. To do this with minimal risk, you have two options. Play as SCAV or offline.
Why as SCAV? As a looter, you get a random loadout each time, which you can stash away in your box if the round is successful.
After a SCAV round ends, you will have to wait 20 minutes until you can loot again, but this way, you learn the map best since you can immediately associate the experiences with the locations on the map.
And why offline? If you want to take a quiet look at the map, you can do so in offline mode. No enemies will appear on the map, and you are safe from attacks.
You can loot the containers, but the items won’t stay in your inventory after the round. In offline rounds, you can even activate bots to improve your aiming or practice handling a new weapon.
Keep Your Head Down and End the Round
What is the best tactic for beginners? After spawning, find cover and try to orient yourself. The large factory chimneys (Two Towers) in the middle, the silos/nuclear power plant in the east, the red warehouse in the west, or the river are very helpful.
If you press “O” twice quickly, you will see your extraction points. In the first rounds on a new map, escaping from the map is the top priority. Avoid the good spots, maybe pick up some “Ground Stashes” and don’t get caught. Run to the points that will safely get you out; they don’t have a question mark next to the display.
How do I get across the map relatively safely? Customs fortunately offers a relatively safe way across the map, so you can complete your SCAV rounds here quite easily. In the image below, you will find a route that should be relatively quiet.
But always stay alert. Since everything on this map plays against you, there is no really safe way, and the last stretch from the route to the extraction point can decide the round.
Keys, Bosses, and Houses are the Next Step
What can I do with keys? The map offers a bunch of keys that you need for specific rooms, vehicles, or locked loot boxes scattered throughout the map and even on other maps. You can also find keys on Customs that only fit locks on other maps.
Many keys are marked on the map here in the article that you can loot directly. However, some of the keys don’t have a fixed spawn point and can randomly be found in bags, SCAVs, or containers.
At locations with symbols resembling small yellow locks, you will need keys – which ones you need is also shown on the map. You should collect the keys for the dorm rooms and prepare them for your first attack on the dorms. You also have a chance to find keys for the rooms within the dorms themselves.
Make a plan about which keys you want to pick up in a round and how you will use them. Since keys do not get used up and take up little space, you can set them aside for later use in another raid.
What can the SCAV bosses do? The Customs map offers locations that may be guarded by a boss and his entourage, providing you with a lot of loot if you take out the group.
The boss at Customs is Reshala. He comes with a lot of health and brings along 4 of his SCAV buddies, all heavily armed and armored.
If you want to take out the boss, make sure to plan a visit to the gas station on your route. If there are stationary SCAVs guarding the area, Reshala is likely nearby. However, he also has more potential spawn points that you can identify on the map by the light blue crosses.
Should I search the houses? Customs offers several buildings from which you can secure loot or keys.
For now, stay away from the dorms in the north. While they hold the best and most gear, many other players know this too and may be better prepared.
The other houses are treacherous as well, as they often have multiple levels, and the contrast between the lit and shadowy areas makes it difficult to keep track of things.
“Dorms” in the North as the Final Challenge
With the good loot from the SCAV bosses, their minions, and a few careless players, you can also tackle the dorms in the north. Here you will also find affordable loadouts. The map below will help you find the most efficient route.
- Stay calm and focused – Move slowly and listen for every sound.
- Make a plan – Don’t go through every room individually but take the map aside first and plan how you will clear the dorms.
- Collect enough keys – Many rooms are locked and require the right key to access the hopefully valuable loot.
If you manage to clear the dorms and leave with the best loot on the map, no one in EFT will bother you anymore. Now you just need the red keycard, and then you can either relax or continue hunting.
Do you have any tips for Customs? How were your first rounds here?
