A method for the determination of trace tin in aluminum alloy by ICP-AES is proposed. The sample is dissolved in the acid mixture of HCl, HNO3, and a little HF is added dropwise. By fuming with sulfuric acid,the sample is then dissolved in HCl media for the determination of tin. Two sensitive wavelengths of tin in ultra-violet region are selected as analytical lines. The results are in accordance with spectrophotometric and FAAS methods,and a standard reference material of aluminum alloy is also analyzed with satisfactory results. The method is simple,rapid and sensitive, It can be used for the determination of trace tin in aluminum alloys.