A method for determining a network quality of service (QoS) flow, a network element, and a system include receiving, by a session management function network element, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule from a policy control function network element, where the PCC rule includes QoS parameters, the QoS parameters include standardized QoS parameter indication information and a non-standardized QoS parameter, and the non-standardized QoS parameter includes at least one attribute comprised in a standardized QoS parameter corresponding to the standardized QoS parameter indication information and a corresponding value of the at least one attribute, and determining, by the session management function network element based on the standardized QoS parameter indication information and the non-standardized QoS parameter, a QoS flow corresponding to the PCC rule.