The unpaid congestion charge debts owed to Transport for London by foreign diplomats have risen to nearly 161 million, with embassies of 145 nations combined owing 160,918,455 by June. The US leads with a debt of 15,636,735, followed by Japan, China, India, and Nigeria. TfL argues that the charge is for a service and not a local tax, thus diplomats should not be exempt. Despite efforts to collect the debts, many embassies remain unresponsive, and the congestion charge is set to increase in January 2026.
The embassies of 145 nations owed a combined total of 160,918,455 by the end of June, which represents an increase of about 18 million from a year ago.
The US had the highest debt at 15,636,735, followed by Japan at 10,769,778, China at 10,712,270, India at 9,730,745, and Nigeria at 9,186,245.
TfL insists the C-charge is a charge for a service and not a tax, meaning that diplomats are not exempt, despite many embassies claiming immunity.
A TfL spokesperson stated that they continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charges and related penalty charge notices from foreign diplomats.
Collection
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