THE GOODS : Shopping Over Land and Sea

If you’ve fallen in love with apparel, housewares or other merchandise that’s sold only overseas, mail-order purchases may be possible--if you have a copy of the catalogue. The following tips may speed the ordering process and reduce the risk of disappointment.

* Write, fax or call to find out if the company will ship to the United States, if a minimum order is required, and what form of payment is accepted (e.g. credit card or bank wire). The newspaper publishes foreign currency exchange rates for converting prices.

* Enlist friends to order from the same company, because a bulk purchase will be hard to resist. (A dozen of us ordered from Gudrun; our bill totaled just more than $1,000.)

* Make your selections carefully because returns may be difficult--if not impossible. A dictionary will help you decipher fabrics, sizes and styling touches. (We succeeded with Gudrun because some of us were familiar with her sizes and colors.) Select a second or third choice in case your first one is unavailable.

* Jot down the name of the person who takes your order. Follow-up calls to him or her may be necessary to verify receipt of your payment or shipment of your merchandise.

* Ask about insurance--who pays for it and what it will cover. Imagine waiting weeks for hard-to-find Wedgwood china only to discover breakage.

* Ask how your order will be shipped and when the U.S. duty is due. (Our Gudrun clothes came via ship to Hoboken, N.J., then to us via the U.S. Postal Service. Upon the packages’ arrival, we had to write a check for the duty.)

* Don’t give up, but be realistic: A dress ordered in November won’t make it to the office Christmas party.