T2 for inside the EEC/CEE, and T1 for outside including Swiss wasn’t it?
Open to correction on that.
T2s ended in 1993(?) when the EU was formed. Remember the customs agents going on strike etc? Queues of trucks at Irun etc?
Brexit meant it all started again…OK different names not pieces of paper all the time, but people entering info into systems and shoving red tape.
Waste of time and money.
Definitely is nuts.
Looked at the ATA Carnet and not sure that it would apply as goods were exported several years ago and even if it did the cost of issuing the carnet looks similar to the import tax cost.
I did also speak to an agent and as I’m booked on the tunnel as a normal passenger (not freight) they advised:-
We would not raise paperwork for a normal booking on the Tunnel simply because there is no customs infrastructure on this side.
The way it works is the vehicles are split. Those for freight (where the customs infrastructure is) and those for the normal passenger route (where there is no customs infrastructure) on the normal side you will not be asked to provide customs documents and even if you did they wouldn’t have any way of validating the documents. They would, however, let you cross. This would mean you would be in the UK with goods that are not customs cleared which could potentially lead to fines etc.
With this being said if you did not have customs on this side, you would be able to travel on the tunnel and take the goods to your place and that would be the end of it 
Sounds great but just for a couple of hundred quid it’s not IMO worth the risk
I was using T-forms for Switzerland long after '93. We were still using T-forms (T1 I think) for certain loads into Morocco in the early to mid-2000s so they were still about. But, as you say, perhaps it’s a Brexit thing and that happened long after I stopped driving lorries.
Ah Carryfast, I’m sure the OP will be eternally grateful for the wisdom of your vast European truck driving experience. 
Whoops that was an answer to Franglais, not CF 
Definitely use the frejus route, incase you didn’t know the mont blanc is closed right now till the 16th December I believe.
Motorway is much better in France, less traffic compared to going bremmer and making your way through Germany and it’s many roadworks.
I’m not sure if vans need them but it is snow chain season till April for trucks.
Thanks for the reply and agree with your reasoning.
We set off yesterday from the UK and the French motorway system was a dream and well worth the cost. As expected when we crossed into Switzerland at Basle, we were pulled over, all docs scrutinised and van contents inspected. It was fine, but why can’t they do it with a smile and not treat us like criminals! Anyway it just confirmed that on the way back, we’ll avoid Switzerland like the plague!
Yes, you’re right about snow season and we have winter tyres fitted, which are mandatory even at our destination in southern Italy.
The mountain ranges in Southern Italy are surprisingly high and impressive.I’ve seen snow still on them in May with temperatures of around 30C low down.