Clearing into Sint Maarten by boat - is an Agent necessary?

Has anyone here cleared into the Dutch side on a boat in recent months? Some sites say that one needs to use an agent (at $200-300) while cruisers who cleared in there (but that I can't reach now) said that this is not necessary, as does the noonsite page for St. Martin.

I'll be sailing there in a couple of weeks. I think I've cleared into the Dutch side about 20 times or more and really don't think an agent is, or should be, necessary.