To establish a method for the determination of sulfur dioxide in paprika by ion chromatography.Methods After the sample being crushed in acidic condition, sulfur dioxide in the sample was distilled and oxidized to sulfate by H₂O₂, and determined by ion chromatography. Results The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 0-667.0 mg/kg (r=0.999 9), the recovery was in the range of 82.79%-108.7%, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5%, and the limit of detection of sulfur dioxide was 0.1 mg/kg.Conclusion This simple method has less interference, good specificity, accuracy and sensitivity.