Guide
ULEZ and your move: what it means for removals in London
Since the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded to cover all London boroughs, a lot of people planning a move ask the same question: will I get charged, and who pays — me or the removal company? Here’s a plain-English guide to how ULEZ affects a house move, man and van job or furniture delivery in London, and how to make sure a daily charge doesn’t land on your quote.
What ULEZ is and where it applies
The ULEZ is a daily charge for driving a non-compliant vehicle within the zone, which now reaches across all of Greater London up to (but not including) the M25. It runs 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. Whether a vehicle pays depends on its emissions standard, not its size — most older diesel vans are non-compliant, while newer Euro 6 diesels and Euro 4 petrols are exempt.
Does ULEZ apply to removal vans — and who pays?
Removal vans and man-and-van vehicles are not exempt from ULEZ just because they’re working. If a company runs an older, non-compliant van into the zone, it faces the daily charge — and some will pass that cost on to you, either openly as a line item or quietly built into the price.
The way to avoid it entirely is to use a company whose vehicles are already ULEZ-compliant. Our fleet is 100% ULEZ-compliant, so there is no clean-air daily charge added to your quote for a move, collection or delivery anywhere in London.
How to avoid a surprise ULEZ charge on your move
- Ask the company directly: “Are your vehicles ULEZ-compliant?” — a compliant firm will say yes without hesitation.
- Check the quote for a separate “ULEZ”, “emissions” or “congestion” surcharge before you book.
- Confirm that parking permits, bay suspensions and the Congestion Charge (a separate central-London charge) are either included or clearly excluded, so nothing is a surprise on the day.
- Get the quote in writing. A clear, itemised price is the best protection against add-on charges.
ULEZ around Hayes, Harlington and Heathrow
Our base in Harlington (UB3) sits inside the ULEZ, close to Heathrow and the Bath Road. Because our vehicles are compliant, we move customers across Hayes, Uxbridge, Southall, Ealing, Hounslow and central London without a clean-air charge entering the equation. It’s one less cost to worry about when you’re already juggling a move.
Note that the Congestion Charge is separate from ULEZ and applies only in central London at certain times — if your move touches that area, ask us to confirm whether it applies to your route.
Moving in London? Skip the clean-air charge.
Our man and van and removals fleet is 100% ULEZ-compliant, so there’s no daily charge added to your quote. Tell us your postcodes for a clear price.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the ULEZ charge, or does the removal company?
If a company uses a non-compliant van, the charge is theirs — but some pass it on to customers. With a ULEZ-compliant fleet like ours there is no charge to pass on, so it never appears on your quote.
Are all man and van services ULEZ-compliant?
No. Many older diesel vans are not compliant. Always ask before booking — a compliant company will confirm it readily, and you should see no emissions surcharge on the quote.
Is ULEZ the same as the Congestion Charge?
No. ULEZ is an emissions-based daily charge across Greater London; the Congestion Charge is a separate charge for central London at certain times. A move may touch one, both or neither depending on the route.
Does ULEZ apply at weekends?
Yes. ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day, so a weekend move is treated the same as a weekday one.