Safe to change attributes after import?

Hello!

Is is safe to change/remove attributes of variable products after import?
Are they still linked to correct variation on aliexpress? through the product variable id?

For example:
Is it ok to remove ships from? or add other attributes

My problem is Aliexpress used attribute “color” but they put sizes inside. I KNOW i can rename on import but i want to fix old products. by removing Colour and adding adding Size attribute.

thank you

/J