In this study, $CeO_2$ thin films were etched with an addition of $Cl_2$ gas to $Ar/CF_4$ gas mixing in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etcher by the etching parameter such as RF power of 700 W, chamber pressure of 15 mTorr and dc bias voltage of -200 volts. The etch rate of $CeO_2$ films was 250 $AA$/min with an addition of 10% $Cl_2$ gas to $Ar/CF_4$ gas mixture and the selectivity to SBT film was 0.4 at that condition. The surface reactions of the etched $CeO_2$ thin films were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was analyzed that Ce peaks were mainly observed in Ce-O bonds formed $CeO_2$ or $Ce_2O_3$ compounds. Cl peaks were detected by the peaks of Cl $2p_{3/2}$ and Cl $2p_{1/2}$. Almost all of Cl atoms were combined with Ce atoms like $CeCl_x$ or $Ce_x/O_yCl_z$ compounds.