Handle is not preserved when creating an item via API

[gessyjr]

Hi,
I am working on an automated process to migrate items from DSpace version 6 to DSpace 8. I made some data modifications that were approved and then I thought I could extract the necessary data via REST from DSpace v6 and use the new DSpace 8 API to create the items. However, the items already have an associated Handle and whenever I create an item via API the handle is not preserved.

Is there any way to update an item's handle or use an existing one in case of a migration using the API?

Thank you
Gessy Junior