diff --git a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanel.test.tsx b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanel.test.tsx
index f75b27fc..41e7bc36 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanel.test.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanel.test.tsx
@@ -174,7 +174,9 @@ describe('PackingListPanel', () => {
 
   it('FE-COMP-PACKING-016: delete item button exists and triggers API call', async () => {
     const user = userEvent.setup();
-    const item = buildPackingItem({ id: 99, name: 'To Remove', category: 'Test' });
+    // Uncategorized item: deleting it is a plain DELETE (a custom category's last
+    // item is instead converted to a placeholder — see FE-COMP-PACKING-070).
+    const item = buildPackingItem({ id: 99, name: 'To Remove', category: null });
     let deleteCalled = false;
     server.use(
       http.delete('/api/trips/1/packing/99', () => {
@@ -1415,4 +1417,83 @@ describe('PackingListPanel', () => {
     expect(clickSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
     clickSpy.mockRestore();
   });
+
+  it('FE-COMP-PACKING-070: deleting the last item of a custom category converts the row to a placeholder so the category persists in place (#1289)', async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    const item = buildPackingItem({ id: 99, name: 'Tent', category: 'Camping Gear' });
+    // handleDeleteItem decides "last in category" from the rendered list.
+    seedStore(useTripStore, { packingItems: [item] });
+    let deleted = false;
+    let putBody: Record<string, unknown> | null = null;
+    server.use(
+      http.delete('/api/trips/1/packing/99', () => {
+        deleted = true;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ success: true });
+      }),
+      http.put('/api/trips/1/packing/99', async ({ request }) => {
+        putBody = await request.json() as Record<string, unknown>;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ item: buildPackingItem({ id: 99, name: '...', category: 'Camping Gear' }) });
+      })
+    );
+    render(<PackingListPanel tripId={1} items={[item]} />);
+
+    await user.click(screen.getByTitle('Delete'));
+
+    // The row is updated in place (same id) rather than deleted, so colour/position hold.
+    await waitFor(() => expect(putBody).toMatchObject({ name: '...' }));
+    expect(deleted).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('FE-COMP-PACKING-071: deleting the placeholder row deletes it, dismissing the empty category (#1289)', async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    const placeholder = buildPackingItem({ id: 5, name: '...', category: 'Camping Gear' });
+    seedStore(useTripStore, { packingItems: [placeholder] });
+    let deleted = false;
+    let converted = false;
+    server.use(
+      http.delete('/api/trips/1/packing/5', () => {
+        deleted = true;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ success: true });
+      }),
+      http.put('/api/trips/1/packing/5', () => {
+        converted = true;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ item: placeholder });
+      })
+    );
+    render(<PackingListPanel tripId={1} items={[placeholder]} />);
+
+    await user.click(screen.getByTitle('Delete'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(deleted).toBe(true));
+    // It is the placeholder itself — it must be removed, not re-converted.
+    expect(converted).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('FE-COMP-PACKING-072: adding an item to an empty category reuses the placeholder row instead of appending (#1289)', async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    const placeholder = buildPackingItem({ id: 5, name: '...', category: 'Camping Gear' });
+    seedStore(useTripStore, { packingItems: [placeholder] });
+    let posted = false;
+    let putBody: Record<string, unknown> | null = null;
+    server.use(
+      http.post('/api/trips/1/packing', () => {
+        posted = true;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ item: buildPackingItem({ id: 6 }) });
+      }),
+      http.put('/api/trips/1/packing/5', async ({ request }) => {
+        putBody = await request.json() as Record<string, unknown>;
+        return HttpResponse.json({ item: buildPackingItem({ id: 5, name: 'Tent', category: 'Camping Gear' }) });
+      })
+    );
+    render(<PackingListPanel tripId={1} items={[placeholder]} />);
+
+    // Open the category's inline "Add item" and add a real entry.
+    await user.click(screen.getByText('Add item'));
+    const input = await screen.findByPlaceholderText('Item name...');
+    await user.type(input, 'Tent');
+    await user.keyboard('{Enter}');
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(putBody).toMatchObject({ name: 'Tent' }));
+    expect(posted).toBe(false);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelCategoryGroup.tsx b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelCategoryGroup.tsx
index 9c7a7dfe..a21b90d1 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelCategoryGroup.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelCategoryGroup.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ interface KategorieGruppeProps {
   allCategories: string[]
   onRename: (oldName: string, newName: string) => Promise<void>
   onDeleteAll: (items: PackingItem[]) => Promise<void>
+  onDeleteItem: (item: PackingItem) => Promise<void>
   onAddItem: (category: string, name: string) => Promise<void>
   assignees: CategoryAssignee[]
   tripMembers: TripMember[]
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ interface KategorieGruppeProps {
   canEdit?: boolean
 }
 
-export function KategorieGruppe({ kategorie, items, tripId, allCategories, onRename, onDeleteAll, onAddItem, assignees, tripMembers, onSetAssignees, bagTrackingEnabled, bags, onCreateBag, canEdit = true }: KategorieGruppeProps) {
+export function KategorieGruppe({ kategorie, items, tripId, allCategories, onRename, onDeleteAll, onDeleteItem, onAddItem, assignees, tripMembers, onSetAssignees, bagTrackingEnabled, bags, onCreateBag, canEdit = true }: KategorieGruppeProps) {
   const [offen, setOffen] = useState(true)
   const [editingName, setEditingName] = useState(false)
   const [editKatName, setEditKatName] = useState(kategorie)
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@ export function KategorieGruppe({ kategorie, items, tripId, allCategories, onRen
       {offen && (
         <div style={{ padding: '4px 4px 6px' }}>
           {items.map(item => (
-            <ArtikelZeile key={item.id} item={item} tripId={tripId} categories={allCategories} onCategoryChange={() => {}} bagTrackingEnabled={bagTrackingEnabled} bags={bags} onCreateBag={onCreateBag} canEdit={canEdit} />
+            <ArtikelZeile key={item.id} item={item} tripId={tripId} categories={allCategories} onCategoryChange={() => {}} onDelete={onDeleteItem} bagTrackingEnabled={bagTrackingEnabled} bags={bags} onCreateBag={onCreateBag} canEdit={canEdit} />
           ))}
           {/* Inline add item */}
           {canEdit && (showAddItem ? (
diff --git a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelItemRow.tsx b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelItemRow.tsx
index 845e51fc..8ddf0c9e 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelItemRow.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelItemRow.tsx
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@ interface ArtikelZeileProps {
   tripId: number
   categories: string[]
   onCategoryChange: () => void
+  onDelete?: (item: PackingItem) => Promise<void>
   bagTrackingEnabled?: boolean
   bags?: PackingBag[]
   onCreateBag: (name: string) => Promise<PackingBag | undefined>
   canEdit?: boolean
 }
 
-export function ArtikelZeile({ item, tripId, categories, onCategoryChange, bagTrackingEnabled, bags = [], onCreateBag, canEdit = true }: ArtikelZeileProps) {
+export function ArtikelZeile({ item, tripId, categories, onCategoryChange, onDelete, bagTrackingEnabled, bags = [], onCreateBag, canEdit = true }: ArtikelZeileProps) {
   const isPlaceholder = item.name === PACKING_PLACEHOLDER_NAME
   const [editing, setEditing] = useState(false)
   const [editName, setEditName] = useState(isPlaceholder ? '' : item.name)
@@ -43,6 +44,9 @@ export function ArtikelZeile({ item, tripId, categories, onCategoryChange, bagTr
   }
 
   const handleDelete = async () => {
+    // The panel routes deletion through onDelete so an emptied custom category
+    // keeps its placeholder; fall back to a plain delete when used standalone.
+    if (onDelete) { await onDelete(item); return }
     try { await deletePackingItem(tripId, item.id) }
     catch { toast.error(t('packing.toast.deleteError')) }
   }
diff --git a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelList.tsx b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelList.tsx
index 832b1b05..112da514 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelList.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Packing/PackingListPanelList.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { KategorieGruppe } from './PackingListPanelCategoryGroup'
 
 export function PackingList(S: PackingState) {
   const {
-    items, gruppiert, t, tripId, allCategories, handleRenameCategory, handleDeleteCategory,
+    items, gruppiert, t, tripId, allCategories, handleRenameCategory, handleDeleteCategory, handleDeleteItem,
     handleAddItemToCategory, categoryAssignees, tripMembers, handleSetAssignees,
     bagTrackingEnabled, bags, handleCreateBagByName, canEdit,
   } = S
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ export function PackingList(S: PackingState) {
               allCategories={allCategories}
               onRename={handleRenameCategory}
               onDeleteAll={handleDeleteCategory}
+              onDeleteItem={handleDeleteItem}
               onAddItem={handleAddItemToCategory}
               assignees={categoryAssignees[kat] || []}
               tripMembers={tripMembers}
diff --git a/client/src/components/Packing/usePackingListPanel.ts b/client/src/components/Packing/usePackingListPanel.ts
index ef09daa7..71a25131 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Packing/usePackingListPanel.ts
+++ b/client/src/components/Packing/usePackingListPanel.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { useTranslation } from '../../i18n'
 import { packingApi, tripsApi } from '../../api/client'
 import { useAddonStore } from '../../store/addonStore'
 import type { PackingItem, PackingBag } from '../../types'
-import { BAG_COLORS } from './packingListPanel.constants'
+import { BAG_COLORS, PACKING_PLACEHOLDER_NAME } from './packingListPanel.constants'
 import { parseImportLines } from './packingListPanel.helpers'
 
 export interface TripMember {
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ export function usePackingList({ tripId, items, openImportSignal = 0, clearCheck
   const [filter, setFilter] = useState('alle') // 'alle' | 'offen' | 'erledigt'
   const [addingCategory, setAddingCategory] = useState(false)
   const [newCatName, setNewCatName] = useState('')
-  const { addPackingItem, updatePackingItem, deletePackingItem } = useTripStore()
+  const { addPackingItem, updatePackingItem, deletePackingItem, togglePackingItem } = useTripStore()
   const can = useCanDo()
   const trip = useTripStore((s) => s.trip)
   const canEdit = can('packing_edit', trip)
@@ -106,10 +106,45 @@ export function usePackingList({ tripId, items, openImportSignal = 0, clearCheck
 
   const handleAddItemToCategory = async (category: string, name: string) => {
     try {
-      await addPackingItem(tripId, { name, category })
+      // Reuse the '...' placeholder slot when the category already has one, so a
+      // freshly-emptied category keeps its position (and therefore its colour)
+      // instead of the new item being appended to the end of the list.
+      const placeholder = useTripStore.getState().packingItems.find(
+        i => i.category === category && i.name === PACKING_PLACEHOLDER_NAME
+      )
+      if (placeholder) {
+        await updatePackingItem(tripId, placeholder.id, { name })
+      } else {
+        await addPackingItem(tripId, { name, category })
+      }
     } catch { toast.error(t('packing.toast.addError')) }
   }
 
+  // Deleting an item from a row. When it is the last item of a user-created
+  // category, turn that row back into the '...' placeholder in place rather than
+  // deleting it (#1289). Updating the row keeps its id, list position and colour,
+  // so the category neither disappears nor jumps to the end. The default
+  // (uncategorized) group and the placeholder row itself are deleted normally —
+  // removing the placeholder is how an empty category is dismissed.
+  const handleDeleteItem = async (item: PackingItem) => {
+    const category = item.category
+    const isLastInCategory = !!category
+      && item.name !== PACKING_PLACEHOLDER_NAME
+      && !items.some(i => i.id !== item.id && i.category === category)
+    try {
+      if (isLastInCategory) {
+        if (item.checked) await togglePackingItem(tripId, item.id, false)
+        await updatePackingItem(tripId, item.id, {
+          name: PACKING_PLACEHOLDER_NAME, weight_grams: null, bag_id: null, quantity: 1,
+        })
+      } else {
+        await deletePackingItem(tripId, item.id)
+      }
+    } catch {
+      toast.error(t('packing.toast.deleteError'))
+    }
+  }
+
   const handleAddNewCategory = async () => {
     if (!newCatName.trim()) return
     let catName = newCatName.trim()
@@ -308,7 +343,7 @@ export function usePackingList({ tripId, items, openImportSignal = 0, clearCheck
     tripId, items, inlineHeader, t, canEdit, isAdmin, font,
     filter, setFilter, addingCategory, setAddingCategory, newCatName, setNewCatName,
     tripMembers, categoryAssignees, handleSetAssignees, allCategories, gruppiert, abgehakt, fortschritt,
-    handleAddItemToCategory, handleAddNewCategory, handleRenameCategory, handleDeleteCategory, handleClearChecked,
+    handleAddItemToCategory, handleAddNewCategory, handleRenameCategory, handleDeleteCategory, handleDeleteItem, handleClearChecked,
     bagTrackingEnabled, bags, newBagName, setNewBagName, showAddBag, setShowAddBag, showBagModal, setShowBagModal,
     handleCreateBag, handleCreateBagByName, handleDeleteBag, handleUpdateBag, handleSetBagMembers,
     availableTemplates, showTemplateDropdown, setShowTemplateDropdown, applyingTemplate,