Based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a novel method for the accurate determination of ultra-trace rare earth elements (REEs) in high-salt surface water was established. The interfering with organic matter in the surface water was eliminated by UV/H₂O₂. The concentration of REEs in surface water is at the ng·L^-1level, making the quantitative determination of dissolved REEs very difficult. The matrix effect of ICP-MS is serious when the total dissolved solid concentration is higher than 1 g·L^-1. Moreover, nebulizer, sampler cone, and skimmer Cone may be blocked in the process of measuring. Therefore, it is necessary to remove salt from the water when the concentration of REEs in high-salt water is determined. REEs in water is needed to preconcentrate before measurement. However, the concentrations of organic matter are usually high in the surface water. The complexation of organic matter can lead to a fraction of REEs during -pre-concentration. The preconcentration of dissolved REEs is also a challenge. In this work, H₂O₂was added to the sample before the preconcentration. The sample was subsequently irradiated with a digester, which destroyed the organic ligands of REEs. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in water could be reduced to approximately 0.5 mg·L^-1. The REEs in water were pre-concentrated through a Nobias PA1 chelating resin column. Proceed as follows: initially, the preconcentrated system was respectively rinsed with HNO₃, pure water, and NH₄AC solution in sequence at a flow rate of 2.2 mL·min^-1 to remove the possible residual REEs. Then, the column was respectively rinsed with NH₄AC solution, sampler, and NH₄AC solution in sequence at a flow rate of 2.0 mL·min^-1 to preconcentrate REEs and remove the loaded salts. Finally, the REEs were eluted with HNO₃ at a flow rate of 0.7 mL·min^-1 and analyzed by ICP-MS. A ¹¹⁵In internal standard was used to correct instrument fluctuation and matrix effect. Results showed that the procedural blanks, detection limits, and relative standard deviations (RSD) of the REEs were 0.34~12.9 and 0.34~22.0 ng·L^-1, and <5% (n=5), respectively, at a pH of 4.6±0.1. All REEs could be quantitative, and their recoveries were 97%~101%. The results from applying this method to coastal water, estuary water, and saline lake water showed that the recoveries of Tm internal standard were 98%~101%, and RSD of the samples (n=3) were <5%. It indicates that the method is suitable for analysing REEs in high-salt surface water.