Here we see a UK parcel delivery network map showing 6 zones. Noting that each delivery zone does not correspond directly with UK national borders but is in place more so to distinguish between the cost and service availability between different destinations.

So, zone 1 covers onshore addresses throughout England, Wales & southern Scotland for overnight network deliveries, and all at the same cost regardless of destination. Next Day, AM and Timed delivery services being available pretty much across the board.

Typically, as the zone number increases so does the cost while the available services diminish. For example, zone 3 deliveries, being offshore Scottish destinations, are more expensive to service and also require several days transit time to reach.

Pallet delivery networks operate along the same lines, although they split UK destinations into many more zones this is done primarily for pricing purposes rather than service availability. The main factor affecting the delivery charges being how far away the pallet delivery depot is from the central hub, known as the trunking distance.     

Freight, same day and direct deliveries work to different principles and are virtually all priced on the mileage from collection point to delivery point with the required vehicle size factored in to the charges. Similar to a taxi service, you pay more the further you go and a higher rate per mile the larger the vehicle you need.