All foreign mail goes through customs, so that probably wouldn't work. However, if you travel to a foreign country, buy the gadget, and take it back in your personal luggage, that should be OK. While it is illegal for someone in the country of origin to export it to another country in a business transaction, personal purchases are seldom checked as you leave that country. If your own country has no restrictions against importing the gadget, then your customs agents wouldn't prevent you bringing it in as part of your personal exemptions, or if its value is over that, you might have to pay duty on it.