is that perception vs difficulty level?

It's whatever you like, but I'd typically do an opposed check with Perception vs, stealth, deception, skukduggery, etc.

The Smuggler's Trenchcoat in Fly Casual says the check is opposed by the Skulduggery of the wearer. But Deception could certainly work too.

The skill used is negotiable with proper justification.

Stealth, it's in your secret pocket or prison locker...

Deception, you say " oh yah, that's my cyber colostomy bag" which could end the searchers interest.

Skulduggery, you palm/sleight of hand the item to a different pocket or drop it as your searched.

Lotsa rationales.

Athletics - to keep muscles clenched when they go for the full cavity search.

Xenology - "My species has a cavity they didnt know about"

Deception, you say " oh yah, that's my cyber colostomy bag" which could end the searchers interest.

Fun off topic fact: never write "fragile" on your package. Write something like "Male Bull Urine Sample" on the outside and UPS will be handled like it was glass.

I'm all for interesting justifications, but I do think there should be limited defaults. Otherwise we're into "can I use Melee with Agility" territory.

I typically just go with perception vs stealth. If the player chooses to use deception it can be just before the search and I allow it to modify the difficulty of the perception vs stealth roll by adding in setback. Other methods can be used such as distractions caused by others, bribery, etc...

I'm all for interesting justifications, but I do think there should be limited defaults. Otherwise we're into "can I use Melee with Agility" territory.

I agree. That specific Agility argument, I always point out there's a reason for weight classes in real fighting.

Kinda of a late response, however....

Do not forget that Vigilance can be used to against Stealth/Skulduggery , depending on the scenario.

Feel like sometimes that can get over looked and GM/Players default straight to Perception .

Helpful for those players who have more vigilant characters than perceptive ones.

Kinda of a late response, however....

Do not forget that Vigilance can be used to against Stealth/Skulduggery , depending on the scenario.

Feel like sometimes that can get over looked and GM/Players default straight to Perception .

Helpful for those players who have more vigilant characters than perceptive ones.

Very important.

Perception is usually "actively searching"

Vigilance can be "noticing somethings wrong"