Translation guide
In Japanese, 'mail order' is commonly expressed with the loanword 通販 (つうはん), short for 通信販売. Other terms exist for specific contexts like catalog shopping or online ordering.
The general concept of ordering goods remotely for delivery, including modern online shopping.
The most common and natural term for mail order in everyday Japanese. It covers catalog, TV, and internet shopping. Often used in compounds like 通販サイト (online shopping site).
I bought this product through mail order.
Order from a mail order site.
The full formal term for mail order. Used in official contexts, legal documents, or company names. Less common in casual speech.
Regarding returns of items purchased through mail order
Specifically refers to catalog-based mail order. Used when emphasizing the catalog medium.
Catalog mail order is still popular.
Emphasizing the use of postal mail to place an order, as opposed to phone or internet.
Referring to the mail order sector or a mail order company.
While 通販 originally meant catalog or phone ordering, it now commonly includes internet shopping. For purely online shopping, ネット通販 or オンラインショッピング are also used, but 通販 alone is often sufficient.
The literal translation 郵便注文 (ゆうびんちゅうもん) is not idiomatic. Use 通販 or 通信販売 for the general concept, and 郵便での注文 only when emphasizing postal mail.
For mail orders, please use this form.