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ULTIMA THULE / MAIL-ORDER INFO 30 June 2026

read me first
P&P rates
catalogue information
other things
import duties
printed UT mail-order catalogues
Bandcamp
Discogs
Ebay

READ ME FIRST...

December 2025 update: see the visitors information page for best contact times, how to find us, and other information.

Simple 1-2-3 ordering...
1. Visit the UT catalogue pages: here
2. Copy the text of items you wish to order to an email, facebook message or letter, and compile your order.
3. Send the letter, email or message, or phone us...

address Steve & Alan Freeman, Ultima Thule, 21 Heather Road, Leicester, LE2 6DF, England
email Steve utle1uk@btconnect.com - for card payments, or to reserve and pay by cheque or postal order
email Alan utle2uk@btconnect.com - for PayPal payments, exchange, special orders, Audion publications, wholesale
alternative email xylem777@gmail.com - not checked regularly
facebook messenger https://www.facebook.com/alan.freeman.75054
telephone +44 116 270 2354 / 0116 270 2354 - best times: 9:00-12:30 most days
mobile +44 7386 455 224 / 07386 455 224 - not always turned on, but you can text any time

Ordering methods / payment types...
1: Phone us or email with your card details. Tracked delivery is required for new customers, and insured on large orders.
2: Register your credit/debit card details. If you wish us to keep them: tell us, or use: zipped html or jpg printable
3: Order by mail. Payments to S. Freeman. UK bank cheques *, Postal Orders (not crossed), Cash (at your own risk).
4: PayPal. Request a PayPal invoice with your order (5% is added to cover PayPal fees), or free Friends Payment info.
5: Online. Use one of the services (i.e. Discogs, Ebay or Bandcamp) at the bottom of this page.

* Cheques are no longer secure/guaranteed, requiring several weeks for verified clearance, so are not recommended.

Safest online card information registering method...
split the data over various channels, i.e. ...
email: xylem777@gmail.com with long card number
email: utle2uk@btconnect.com with expiry date and security code
message Alan Freeman at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alan.freeman.75054 or text or whatsapp at the mobile:
+44 7386 455 224 / 07386 455 224 with address and telephone number
We will only charge when goods are in stock and ready to send, unless you instruct us otherwise.

Registered customers...
Order by phone: 0116 270 2354, regular mail or email. Tell us if you've ordered before. This will speed-up processing.
Order forms: Available with printed catalogues, or download an order form and print it off yourself.
Email orders: Be sure to be clear as to who you are! i.e. list your full name. The more clear info, the faster the order process!
Phone orders: tell us your full name and if you a registered customer - best times: 9:00-12:30 most days.

Non-UK customers...
It is important that you read the Import duties panel below before making an order.

P&P RATES... Last revised: 7 April 2025

P&P unit rates

We use a unit system to cope with mixed orders of CDs, records, cassettes, etc.
What we charge is:- the postage cost (based on the average weights) + the packaging costs + a small handling charge.
These rates are a guide, and are what is usually charged. P&P on large orders may be cheaper.
If you are unsure about P&P costs, then enquire.

1 unit: MC (cassettes), 3"CD, uncased CD (2nd lightweight/slim CD package)

2 units: CD (compact discs), 7" records, magazines

3 units: DVD, 2CD sets, 2xMC sets, The Crack In The Cosmic Egg DVD-Rom

4 units: 3CD sets, LVE sets, 10" records

6 units: first LP, add 4 units for each extra LP. (i.e. a double is 10 units), VHS cassettes

10 units: A Fistful Of Spaghetti book

If you are unsure about P&P - enquire! Worldwide surface rates = Europe

net/gross are Discogs "shipping policy" steps. 220/250g steps for UK only

VIA ULTIMA THULE MAIL-ORDER

UK				World
units	1st	insured	net/gross	EU	Europe 3	USA	World 1	World 2
1 1st MC	3.50		- - - / 100g	4.50	4.50	5.30	5.30	5.30
2 1st CD	4.00		120g / 150g	7.00	7.00	9.00	9.00	10.00
3 2CDset	4.00		180g / 235g	10.00	11.00	14.50	12.50	14.50
4 2xCD	5.00	11.50	220g / 320g	12.50	13.50	25.00	20.50	22.50
5	5.00	11.50	- - - / 405g	12.50	13.50	25.00	20.50	22.50
6 1st LP	6.00	11.50	320g / 490g	12.50	13.50	25.00	20.50	22.50
7 heavy LP	6.00	12.50	- - - / 575g	13.50	14.00	28.00	24.00	26.50
8 4xCD	6.00	12.50	400g / 660g	13.50	14.00	28.00	24.00	26.50
9	6.00	12.50	- - - / 745g	13.50	14.00	28.00	24.00	26.50
10 2LP	7.00	12.50	- - - / 830g	15.00	16.50	31.50	27.50	30.50
12 6xCD	7.00	12.50	600g / 1000g	15.00	16.50	31.50	27.50	30.50
14 3xLP	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1130g	16.00	18.00	35.50	30.50	34.00
16 8xCD	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1260g	16.00	18.00	35.50	30.50	38.00
18 4xLP	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1390g	16.00	18.00	35.50	30.50	38.00
20 10xCD	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1520g	16.00	18.00	35.50	30.50	38.00
22 5xLP	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1650g	16.00	18.00	35.50	30.50	38.00
24 12xCD	8.00	15.50	- - - / 1780g	17.50	20.00	37.00	35.00	40.00
28 6xLP	8.00	15.50	1.5kg / 2kg	17.50	20.00	37.00	35.00	40.00

Zones...

Economy worldwide = no longer available, except for small smaller orders

EU = Europe 1/2 services, Europe 3 = non-EU countries

World 1 = most non-Europe, except USA, & World 2 (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore)

UK Signed For delivery 1-9 units: add £1.90 to the p&p cost. 10+ units included in price.
note: most 4+ unit packages are sent by Tracked 24 or 48 nowadays.

International Signed For: add £6.00 to P&P (cover £50)

Insured / Airsure: for expensive/rare items, and Parcel post / larger orders: enquire!

PayPal invoices: add 5% (no charge if I quote by email/messenger & payment is by "friends" method)

November 2025 update: US customers please note that the tariffs may mean extra fees on orders.
50p extra is charged for PDDP pre-payment. Book and magazine post via USPS printed incurs no extra charges.

Other services

UK Recorded delivery 1-9 units: add £1.70 to the P&P cost.

UK Tracked 24 service, 10 units + inclusive in above P&P charges.

International Signed For: add £6.00 to P&P (cover £50)

Insured / Airsure: for expensive/rare items, depends on value of order (please enquire)

Parcel post / larger orders: calculated by order weight (please enquire)

Extras
PayPal invoice fees: add 5%. Web service fees: add 16% via Bandcamp, Discogs & Ebay

Packing: We take care in our packaging! In fact, Steve is regularly commended for it. Records are packed in deluxe cartons with crush zones, and packed tightly (to avoid movement) usually with extra bubble-wrap inside. Smaller items (such as CDs and cassettes) are usually wrapped or padded with corrugated card and mailed in neat Jiffy bags. Larger packages of CDs are mailed in sturdy custom made cartons.
Tracking: Essential for deliveries to blocks of flats or to businesses, to make sure the item gets to the right person! Essential also on all first orders from new or non-registered customers.
Insurance: The Post Office only has limited liability for loss or damage, thus we recommend insurance on orders over £25! Items very rarely go missing, but it's often better to be safe than sorry. Parcel rate prices (excepting UK rates) include insurance in the P&P charge quoted.
Insurance cover: This varies for different countries. If no instructions are given, we'll use our discretion and charge accordingly. But note, as parcel insurance is limited per parcel (only up to £250 in some places), orders over any such threshold will usually be split into smaller packages.
Customs Declarations: We cannot insure, or claim compensation on lost or damaged items incorrectly valued. If you require low value declaration, the risk is yours! A tip: Packets under $50 (approx. £33 inc. P&P) are exempt from import duty in some countries. The disadvantage is that postal costs per item may be higher. You are responsible for paying any duty or tax cost imposed.
EU customer orders: Please note that from 1 July 2026 the EU introduces new customs rules and charges. We don't know how this extra 3 Euro charge per item type fee will work as yet, and we won't know exactly until we process an order and pay for the postage.

Typical heavy carton with crush zones, that we use for LP parcels

CATALOGUE INFORMATION...

Example catalogue listing...

i.e. ASH RA TEMPEL - JOIN INN (Ohr: GF) LP vg/vg £25.00 - (Spalax) CD £13.00 - etc.
Meaning: ARTIST - TITLE (label: info) FORMAT record/cover £price - etc.

New items: No grade = new item! i.e. the Ohr LP above is second-hand, the CD is new.
Second-hand grades: "m/ex" = "mint record / excellent cover".
i.e. "m/vg/ex" is condition of each item in a 2 disc set, & "ex" cover.
i.e. "g-m/m" is a variable grade, only good in parts, with an "m" cover.

Second-hand grades...

Music product...
m - mint: a perfect, "as new" item, with no notable defects.
ex - excellent: minor flaws, slight wear, some defects.
vg - very good: a record that has obvious visible flaws, minor noise or clicks, etc. Good for all but quiet musics.
g - good: a record that plays okay, but will have notable crackle or distortion. Some old loud records will be okay.
f - fair: will play with considerable noise and crackle. Not really recommended at all!
b - bad condition, may not play properly!
+ - i.e. ex+ means better than ex, but not m.

Covers & Inserts...
m - mint: should be perfect, "as new", with no real defects.
ex - excellent: will show signs of being handled, and be obviously second-hand.
vg - very good: liable to have minor damage and wear, etc.
g - good: will be a bit tatty!
f - fair: may be just about holding together!
b - bad: hardly there at all!
co - cut-out: slotted/punched, usually US import deletion/promo.
nc - no cover.

Abbreviations...

CD - Compact Disc
CDM - Compact Disc Mini album
CDS - Compact Disc Single
CDR - Recorded Compact Disc
CD-Rom - CD that includes extra content like PC Rom data files, movie files, etc.
CD+ - CD +PC/Mac data files
DVD - Digital Video/Versatile Disc
EP - Extended Play record, can be 7" 33 / 12" 45
LP - Long Play record 12" / 10"
MLP - Mini LP 12" / 10"
MC - Music Cassette
VHS - Video VHS Cassette

# - Item new to this list!
BK - Book, booklet, etc.
BT - Bonus Track(s) included, i.e. 2xBT
CC - Card cover (often a mini LP style gatefold)
DP - DigiPak cover (plastic tray glued to card sleeve)
GF - Gate-Fold cover
IN - includes extra insert(s) or printed inner sleeve
MAG - Magazine
PO - Poster included
PS - Picture Sleeve
RE - Reissue
RM - Remaster

Other things...

Alternatives...
As lots of the stuff we have at Ultima Thule is rare and/or hard to get, and that many titles are second-hand, one-off's, deleted items or very limited, we cannot guarantee that something listed on the Ultima Thule web site is available. So we recommend you list alternatives if ordering by post.

Invoices & reserving...
You can request a pro-forma invoice, bill or quote by phone, post or email. As a rule we generally only reserve goods for one week in the UK (but will allow longer for payments from abroad and regular reliable customers), so please be prompt with your payment, else the goods will be returned to stock. Please do not reserve goods and then change your mind. If you require a full invoice for your personal accounts, then request one.

Accepted Payment Methods...
UK Bank Cheques: Payable to "S. Freeman". - A tip: UK bank cheques noted "not to exceed £..." avoid the need for credit notes.
Credit/Debit Cards: Almost any Visa or MasterCard. Minimum order £5.00
PayPal: See panel above
£ Postal Orders: Do not cross them! Banks charge a high clearance fee. Payable to "S. Freeman".
Bank transfer: Request details if you wish to transfer to our account.
Currency: Cash sent by mail is risky. Ultima Thule will not be liable for any losses.

Discounts...
All discounts are at our discretion. Discounts do not apply to p&p, services, magazines, books, or accessories.
You must ask for the discount for us to apply it to an order. We cannot discount orders made via Discogs.
UK special discounts...
payment by Credit Cards £300+ = free parcel post (or £5 off registered), £500+ & 2% discount.
payment by cash, cheques, Debit Card, PayPal "friends & family" £200+ = free parcel post (or £5 off registered), £500+ & 4% discount.
Export special discounts: £300+ = 2% discount, £500+ = 4% discount.
Wholesale discounts: Available to retailers only on our own releases. Orders must include multiple copies of items. Details upon request.

Part-exchange...
If you wish to send us records or CDs in part-exchange against goods, please observe: 1. Do not send unsolicited goods. 2. Always supply a list of goods you wish to dispose of. 3. We usually only take "ex" or better condition goods. 4. Await our offers before deciding to send anything. 5. All offers are subject to inspection and condition grading by us, and our assessments on the condition of items are final.
We offer 50% of our direct selling price (not the Discogs selling price), which is treated as a cash sale amount. We cannot give any other allowances. P&P is charged the same as with any other method of purchase. We no longer pay cash for second-hand goods.

Problems...
Quality: Second-hand items are visually checked & tested for accurate grading. If you are finicky avoid items "vg+" or less.
Faulty Goods: Not all things that seem faulty are so. Check CDs on a different player! Glitches, or jumps (like those on Neu! 2) may be intentional and part of the music. If you are sure an item is faulty, tell us. Do not return goods until you have checked with us first!
Postal Damage: We take great care packaging, but cannot guarantee against wear to covers, or damage to CD cases. If anything arrives damaged, keep all packaging and see if you can make a claim with your local delivery company. Do not return goods until you have checked with us first!
Non-delivery: Check with your neighbours and local sorting office first! Wait 1 week (1 month abroad). If enquiring, tell us the date of the order.

Import duties...

Be aware that buying from another country often incurs customs fees. If you order direct from Ultima Thule, we are not VAT registered, so fees may be payable upon receipt in many countries. Please be aware that charges are possible and it is your duty to pay any fees due on an order.

EU VAT: Web services charge VAT and other taxes on services. Discogs and Ebay orders to EU customers using Royal Mail's "Click & Drop" service, which has integrated IOSS (the EU's electronic VAT system), which should mean no charges upon receipt. Ultima Thule itself is too small a business for such tax implementation, so we recommend the use of web services that charge taxes upfront with IOSS facilities.

Norway / GST / USA: Recent customs changes imposed mean extra fees may apply.

Printed UT mail-order catalogues...

Besides the web services we offer, we still also publish a regular bi-monthly printed mail-order catalogue. This is generally 16 printed A4 pages.
It costs £1 to produce, but is sent out free to non-web customers that order regularly! You can also print-off the catalogue from the pdf version catalogue "Hello" page on this web site, or you can also pay for catalogues, adding p&p/shipping: UK £1, world £3.

WE ALSO SELL VIA THESE ONLINE SERVICES...

We use Bandcamp for high quality download releases. Many of our own CD releases and Audion magazines, plus Audion pdf/multimedia editions, can be ordered worldwide via Bandcamp. All such releases can be listened to up to 3 times before you decide to buy. We have four different pages on Bandcamp. All can be accessed via the Auricle Music Bandcamp index https://auriclemusic.bandcamp.com/album/bandcamp-index

Our Discogs shop lists over 1,000 items! This useful site is not only an excellent discography research tool, managed by volunteer fans around the world, it makes its money by running the Discogs Marketplace, which sells globally with only minimal seller fees and integrated PayPal billing.

The nature of this site means you can check-out the details, cover graphics, and listen before you buy.

Our own releases...

Auricle: https://www.discogs.com/label/36198-Auricle

Ultimate Transmissions: https://www.discogs.com/label/45193-Ultimate-Transmissions

Cosmic Egg: https://www.discogs.com/label/130065-Cosmic-Egg

Our Discogs seller hub: http://www.discogs.com/seller/ultimathulerecords

Registering with Discogs is free and with no obligation.

I have Ultima Thule registered as a private seller on Ebay under my own name: Alan Freeman. Ebay has mostly been used for selling obscurities, rarities and collectables, old magazines, etc. But, since July 2021 I've listed a The Crack In The Cosmic Egg rom on there, as well as many printed Audion issues, our books, a selection of DVD videos, and various other things.

Check-out the UT Ebay page: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/ultimathulerecords/m.html