This paper investigates the macroporous chelating ion exchangers with different functional groups for their sorption properties towards the copper(II) and zinc(II) ions. The investigations by the dynamic and static methods were carried out in the presence of traditional complexing agents. The differences in affinity of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with these complexones result from the kind of functional groups of the chelating ion exchangers, such as thiourea, aminomethylphosphonate, iminodiacetate, and polyamine groups as well as from the pH value. The quantitative removal of studied heavy metal complexes using chelating ion exchangers is achieved in the case when resins compete successfully for the heavy metal ions against these chelators.Key words: chelating resins, heavy metals, EDTA, NTA.