This paper presents a chelating agent free solid phase extraction (CAF-SPE) method for the separation and/or preconcentration of trace iron(III) ions. This method is based on the sorption of Fe(III) ions without using any chelating agent onto Amberlyst 36 resin. A good relative standard deviation (3%), high recovery (>95%), high enrichment factor (100), and low detection limit (0.32 mu g L(-1)) were obtained. The adsorption capacity of resin was 117 mg g(-1) for iron(III). The method was applied for the determination of iron various in water and commercial tea bag samples. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analyzing Certified Reference Material (GBW 07605).