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We used Arelis at as our customs agent. She knows the process well and can provide some insight into how valuations are done on used household items. We imported with residency, so we had full exoneration on the taxes on the household items and partial exoneration on our vehicle.

Another thing to consider is how well the furniture will work here - will the heat and humidity be an issue, does the style work with the new house, etc. If the furniture can be used here, then it will likely be cheaper in the long run to import it and pay the tax rather than having to liquidate in California and buy new here. But if the pieces are not what you would want in your new home, you might want to bite the bullet, take the loss and start fresh.

They will assess everything at a value that works for them, not you.  That is the reality.  Please speak with a good broker or two. It's not just 18% that can be charged but also duty!

This may be a dumb question; however, if my partner is Dominican and has her cédula, do we still need a customs broker? 

Yes you do!

Everyone who does such an import will have a different story on how it went.  Some will be good, some will be bad.  It is all up to the agents you deal with and what they want to charge. 

Keep in mind if you live here on a tourist card, your California drivers license is valid for 30 days.  Not 60, not 90...  So if you drive, keep that detail in mind.  No residency or naturalization through marriage?  No DR driver's license is possible.

And you most likely won't be able to renew it any more once you leave California. 

Getting a driver's license was a prime motivator for my getting residency 22 years ago when I moved from the California SF Bay area and brought a full container.  I am glad I did it that way and it was a hassle.