London’s US Embassy Faces £15.6m Congestion Charge Debt Scandal
London’s US Embassy has emerged as the leading culprit in a mounting congestion charge crisis, racking up an astonishing £15.6 million in unpaid fees.
Transport for London (TfL) has released fresh data that puts a spotlight on 145 diplomatic missions now owing a staggering £161 million in total – and the US tops the list by a wide margin.
The figures, updated as of 30 June 2025, reveal a deepening diplomatic standoff. The charges have been accumulating since 2003. Despite repeated demands, many embassies have flatly refused to settle their debts.
TfL is firm in its stance. “Foreign diplomats and consular staff are not exempt from paying the Congestion Charge. We continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charges and related penalty charge notices,” said a spokesperson for Transport for London.
At the heart of the dispute is a difference in interpretation. Many embassies argue the congestion charge is a tax – something they are protected from under diplomatic immunity. But TfL insists otherwise: it’s a service fee, not a tax.
This distinction has led to years of unpaid dues. Yet, the embassies remain unmoved.
Here’s how the worst offenders stack up:
- USA: £15.6 million
- Japan: £10.76 million
- China: £10.71 million
- Nigeria and India trail close behind
- Russia holds sixth spot with a £6.1 million tab
With 168 diplomatic missions based in the capital – including consulates and high commissions – the congestion zone is a daily battleground of diplomatic privilege vs public service enforcement.
The timing of this revelation adds to the tension. Former President Donald Trump is rumoured to be visiting the UK within weeks. Speculation also surrounds a potential trip to Scotland, where he’s due to celebrate the expansion of his Aberdeenshire golf resort.
Meanwhile, everyday motorists are still footing the bill. The current congestion charge stands at £15 per day, applicable during peak hours within Central London. And next year, it’s set to increase to £18.
It’s separate from the Ulez charge, which penalises older, more polluting vehicles. But the message is the same: drive into central London, and you pay. Unless, it seems, you’re part of a foreign mission.
As Londoners grapple with rising living costs and tighter rules on road use, the sight of unpaid millions stings. For now, TfL is pursuing the money. But after two decades of unpaid bills, the question remains – will these embassies ever pay up?
