London is the UK's busiest delivery market and one of its most complex. The Transport for London (TfL) charging zones add an unavoidable layer of cost to deliveries into the capital -- but with the right courier and a clear understanding of the charges, they need not be a surprise.
The three TfL charging zones
Three separate charging schemes operate in Greater London, and they apply to different areas and different types of vehicle.
- Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) -- central London, Mon-Fri 7am-6pm and Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm. Applies to all vehicles.
- Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) -- expanded in August 2023 to cover all London boroughs. Older diesel and petrol vans face daily charges.
- Low Emission Zone (LEZ) -- applies to heavier vehicles (over 3.5T) across Greater London 24/7.
How charges appear on your invoice
Couriers pass TfL charges through at cost or as a fixed surcharge. You should see a line item on your invoice if your delivery required entry to any of these zones. A reputable courier will be transparent about this at the point of quoting.
Booking into London -- practical tips
- Always provide the precise delivery postcode -- zone entry is determined by the actual route, not the nearest boundary
- Specify any loading restrictions (double yellow lines, parking bays, loading bays)
- If your delivery is to a pedestrian street or narrow lane, flag this in advance
- For Canary Wharf and the City, provide building access codes or security contact numbers
- Consider whether you can time a delivery to avoid peak CCZ hours and reduce surcharges
Why ULEZ compliance matters for your courier choice
Since the 2023 expansion, ULEZ covers the whole of Greater London. Couriers operating older vehicles face daily charges of up to 12.50 pounds (vans) or 100 pounds (larger lorries). These costs are either absorbed by the courier -- unlikely -- or passed to the customer. Choosing a courier with a ULEZ-compliant fleet removes this variable entirely.
Eagon Transport operates a ULEZ-compliant fleet across our London operations. Zone surcharges are quoted transparently at the point of booking.