The U.S. Embassy in London has accumulated approximately £14.6 million in unpaid congestion charge fees, the largest among diplomatic missions in the city. Despite citing diplomatic exemption, a dispute with TfL and the UK government may lead to legal action.
The U.S. Embassy in London owes approximately £14.6 million in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to figures published by Transport for London (TfL). These fees have accumulated since the charge’s introduction in 2003 and represent the largest debt among diplomatic missions in the city. The congestion charge is a £15 daily fee imposed on vehicles driving in central London during specific hours.
The U.S. Embassy maintains that it is exempt from these charges, citing the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which it interprets as exempting diplomats from taxes, including the congestion charge. However, TfL and the UK government assert that the congestion charge is a fee for a service, not a tax, and thus diplomats are not exempt.
The Japanese Embassy ranks second on the list, owing £10.1 million, followed by the Indian High Commission with an £8.6 million debt. Other significant debts are held by the embassies of China, Russia, and Nigeria. Together, these diplomatic missions owe a total of £143.5 million in unpaid fees, prompting calls for legal action through the International Court of Justice.
The U.S. Embassy, which moved to Nine Elms in 2018, just outside the congestion charging zone, has continued to accumulate unpaid fines despite relocating. Most embassies do pay the charge, but a minority, including the U.S., remain non-compliant despite diplomatic negotiations.
