Any searches of TOR or Transfer of Residence return absolutely nothing, and yet apparently this is what everybody moving their things to UK from outside the EU needs.
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...r-relief-tor01
This is apparently a new regulation that only came into effect early last year (2017), and before that it was a hassle-free C3 form.
Did anyone have experience with this? Do they really require if for people relocating from Switzerland? And if yes, are there any pointers?

Why do you provide a link to the official page that tells you it is required, has a bunch of help guides on it - and then ask those questions on a forum?

(and specifically states "The ToR1 has replaced the following forms: • Import and export: bringing personal belongings to UK from outside the European Community (C3))

Because I find it odd that nobody ever mentioned it once of the forum. Many other issues (such as visas for example) do not treat Switzerland differently from EU countries, and there is no information about it on the official site. I would like to know if anyone had any problems with transporting their belongings originating in Switzerland through the UK customs.

That's because Switzerland is part of Schengen, a travel visa covers effectively all of Schengen.

Movement of goods very definitely does treat Switzerland differently.

Anyone got an update or experience on this as i just had it sprung on me and looking at GOV UK it looks uneccesary , but i am told by the removals guy that it is?

Why do you say that looking at GOV UK it seems unnecessary?
From my experience, this was definitely necessary and quite easy to use. I didn't even list all my things one by one, just wrote roughly what I am transporting. The only problem is, it takes a little time to get it, but once you have it, it helps you go through the customs A LOT.
Definitely recommend to get it.

I thought it was unecessary as on GOV UK Switzerland is an EFTA country and i thought it was thus treated the same.

I managed to get hold of someone at the dept of TOR and indeed it is required so i will fill it in over the weekend.

I hope it doesn't take the 14 days stated on the phone message ...

Just been through the ToR1 process myself and it was quite painless- just make sure you attach all the correct documents. The removals company advised me that we must get this approval. Took about 14 days even though I was warned that it could take 6 weeks. I was concerned that as move date had changed slightly I might have to resubmit but HM Customs said approval covered the 6 months following date put on form

When is the move?