diff --git a/backend/routers/items.py b/backend/routers/items.py
index 86a906c0..20815d37 100644
--- a/backend/routers/items.py
+++ b/backend/routers/items.py
@@ -97,13 +97,22 @@ def create_item(
     current_user: auth.TokenData = Depends(auth.get_current_user)
 ):
     """[C-01] Create item — only for authenticated users. [M-02] user_id from token."""
+    # [DUPLICATE CHECK] Prevent duplicate barcodes (part numbers)
+    if item.barcode:
+        existing = db.query(models.Item).filter(models.Item.barcode == item.barcode).first()
+        if existing:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=409,
+                detail=f"Item with barcode '{item.barcode}' already exists (ID: {existing.id}). Update it instead or use a different barcode."
+            )
+
     # [AUTO-PERSIST] Create Category/Color if not exists
     if item.category:
         cat = db.query(models.Category).filter(models.Category.name == item.category).first()
         if not cat:
             db.add(models.Category(name=item.category))
             db.commit()
-            
+
     if item.color:
         col = db.query(models.Color).filter(models.Color.name == item.color).first()
         if not col:
diff --git a/frontend/app/page.tsx b/frontend/app/page.tsx
index dd50f739..1ee39f23 100644
--- a/frontend/app/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/page.tsx
@@ -170,8 +170,15 @@ export default function Home() {
           await inventoryApi.createItem(currentUser.id, itemData);
           toast.success("Item saved to cloud catalog!");
         } catch (err: any) {
-          console.error("Cloud sync failed:", err.message);
-          toast.error("Item saved locally. Cloud sync failed.");
+          const status = err.response?.status;
+          const detail = err.response?.data?.detail || err.message;
+          console.error("Cloud sync failed:", detail);
+
+          if (status === 409) {
+            toast.error(`Item already exists. ${detail}`);
+          } else {
+            toast.error("Item saved locally. Cloud sync failed.");
+          }
         }
       } else if (!isOnline) {
         toast.success("Item saved locally. Will sync when online.");