exporting and importing workflows from different environments

We have a few different SharePoint environments where we move workflows, using export and import, from each environment.

We use the 'Set item permissions' workflow element in building the workflow and is causing an issue when moving the workflow between each env. The 'permission' level dropdown in the User Permissions section changes from each env when you view it. we believe that when a permission level where you only see the name fo the permission it, it actually records the ID or position in the list of levels in the backend rather than the actual name of the permission.

For example say we have permission level x that sits at number 10 in the list of SharePoint permission levels, although in the new env the same permission (exactly same name) level sits at number 15 in the list. These are not in alpha order and the list is populated as they are created. When we import the workflow into another env, the workflow settings picks up the permission level that sits at number 10 in the list of the new env, not the permission level with the same name. This is very misleading a doesnt give confidence moving workflows.