BVI's changes with entry policies

[Dulcesuenos]

Not sure if this was posted but wondering how this will change entry procedures for charters or cruisers?
BVIs Changes Customs Rules - News of St. John

"According to the Virgin Islands News Online, visitors entering the British Virgin Islands will have to present themselves and their belongings to immigration authorities much like how it occurs here in Cruz Bay. This change occurred to “minimise the potential entry of criminals, firearms and illegal substances into the territory,” the publication reported.

In the past, only boat captains were required to enter Customs and were allowed to simply bring their passengers’ passports inside. Now everyone on every boat must disembark and go inside. "
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[Zanshin]

I've heard this as well. Especially the part about "...and their belongings..." is going to cause chaos if they do require all and sundry to lug their baggage into the small office spaces at Jost, West End, Spanish Town or Gun Creek!

I'll wait for the dust to settle and see what the actual rule is going to be. Considering that the USA has always required that all aboard go to customs & immigration this isn't completely new - although no other islands in the Caribbean have that rule in place.

This is, I believe, less about curbing smuggling and crime and more about making things more complex for charter industry boats based in the USVI going to the BVI. Basing boats in the USVI is cheaper and the BVI might be trying to "get back" at the money bleeding from their islands.