This error means Target+ already has a product in its catalog with the same barcode (UPC/GTIN) as your item, so it won't accept your listing as a new product. Target allows only one product per barcode, and the conflict has to be cleared on Target's side before your item can go live.
You'll see it in Acenda as one of these messages, against the Barcode attribute:
The item's barcode duplicates an existing Target core product. The barcode belongs to a product Target sells itself (in stores or on Target.com).
The item's barcode duplicates an existing Target Plus product. The barcode is already used by a Target+ listing, either another seller's or one of your own.
The message starts with a label from Target, usually MINOR_DATA_VALIDATION: or DATA_VALIDATION:. The fix is the same either way.
Where you'll see it
Item Issues: In the sidebar, under CHANNELS, click Item Issues. The error is listed with the item's SKU, a Source of channel (it came from Target), an Attribute Path of Barcode, and the text in Error Message.
On the item: In the sidebar, under CATALOG, click Items, click the eye icon next to the item, and open the Channel Status tab. Click the Target+ tab (or whatever you've named your Target+ channel) to see the error and the item's Listing Action.
Why it happens
Sold by Target in stores (1P): Target has sold the product directly, so the barcode is already in its core catalog.
Sold through Target's drop-ship program (2P): The product was sold on Target.com through a drop-ship vendor.
Another Target+ seller listed it: A different partner already has a listing with the same barcode.
Your own existing listing: If you changed the item's SKU in Acenda, Target sees the new SKU as a new product with the same barcode as your live listing. See Can I Change SKU Values for My Marketplace Listings?
Important: This conflict lives in Target's catalog, so Acenda can't clear it for you. Only Target+ Partner Support can resolve it.
How to fix it
Find the item's SKU and barcode in Item Issues or on the item page.
If you recently changed this item's SKU, follow Can I Change SKU Values for My Marketplace Listings? instead of opening a ticket with Target.
Otherwise, log in to the Target Partner Portal and open a ticket with Target+ Partner Support.
In the ticket, say you're getting the "barcode duplicates an existing Target product" error, and include the barcode and SKU (for example, barcode
000000000000and SKUYOUR-SKU). If you own the brand or the barcode, say so and attach your GS1 barcode certificate if you have one.Ask Target to resolve the conflict, either by linking your listing to the existing product or by clearing the barcode for you.
While you wait, don't keep re-sending the item and don't change the barcode to a made-up one. Repeated sends hit the same rejection, and an invalid barcode causes new errors.
Once Target confirms it's fixed, open the item's Channel Status tab and check that the Target+ Listing Action is Full, so Acenda sends the item again. Acenda usually sends the update to Target+ within an hour, and Target then reviews the listing, so allow some time for the error to clear.
If the error is still there a day or two after Target has confirmed the fix, contact Acenda Support with the SKU and we'll re-send it.
Tip: To check what Acenda last sent to Target+ for an item, see Tracking Marketplace Updates with Channel Events. Channel Events show what Acenda sent, not Target's reply. Target's rejections appear in Item Issues.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
I own the brand, but I still get the error. Owning the brand doesn't stop the barcode from already being in Target's catalog, for example from earlier in-store or drop-ship sales. Tell Target+ Partner Support you own the brand and barcode and ask them to link or release it.
The product was sold in Target stores before. That's the most common cause of the "core product" version of this error. Target+ Partner Support needs to decide how your listing relates to the existing in-store product.
Can I use a different barcode? Only if it's a genuine GS1 barcode that you own and that correctly identifies this product. Never use a made-up or borrowed barcode. Check with Target+ Partner Support first, because changing the barcode may create a separate product. If the new barcode is rejected for its format, see Troubleshooting Target+ Error: "DATA_VALIDATION: The item's barcode is an unsupported format".
My listing went live, then was unlisted because the UPC belongs to another source. That's a related but different error. See Troubleshooting the Target+ Error: "TCIN has been unlisted as the UPC will be listed by another source".
How is this different from the "Barcode released after 120 days" or "60 days" errors? Those apply when you try to bring back your own item that Target unlisted earlier, and the barcode is in a waiting period. This error is about a barcode that already belongs to another product. See the 120-day article and the 60-day article.
Other Target+ errors? See How to Fix Marketplace Listing Errors.
Related articles
Still stuck?Contact Acenda Support with the item's SKU and the full error message.