Ordering Research Chemicals: Help a beginner learn to be safe and discrete

[JDreaming]

SWIM has been considering trying to make connections to get research chemicals over the Internet. He knows this is risky business and has read all the basic safety guides. He gathers that when ordering drug analogues, one should order from an overseas company in a country with no analogue laws (since American companies selling RCs are knowingly breaking analogue laws and tend to get shut down and have their records seized). And he's read that, if one can find a company that will sell drug analogues by the gram, the main danger involved is that when a package of white powder shows up in customs, they may not take kindly to it.

So once you've found your overseas, professional looking small chemical supply company WITHOUT words like "legal high" or "shaman shop" in their names... what's the best way to ensure a small shipment gets made discretely?

For instance...

1) What can one indicate when placing an order to ensure it gets packaged and sent in a manner where it's not likely to cause a scene at customs? Is there anything that could be written in the "notes for the order" section of an order form, or included in an E-Mail, so they'll package it in a more discrete way?

2) What can one do to indicate that they are a researcher while inquiring about a product, and look reasonably legitimate (even if you aren't really a professional chemist)? Does it help to request a materials data safety sheet, or does that just make the analogue easier to identify if customs officials / feds get involved later?

And in case the order does create an issue...
3) Is there any way one can protect ones financial or personal identity and minimize the chance of self-incrimination and legal hazard in the course of ordering an RC?

SWIM has not made contact yet with anybody... advice from those who have ordered before and lived to tell about it is much appreciated, before he gets started.