Despite the increasing importance of timber products and the influence of the global value chain (GVC) concept on internationally active enterprises, the understanding of timber value chains' performance is limited. This paper systematically analyses current evidence from 31 studies on the arrangement and operation of Asian timber value chains (VCs) under the GVC framework. To achieve this, 16 indicators, including general publication characteristics, the chain participants, the allocation of activities, their effect on the ecosystem, and mode of governance and coordination were identified. Besides pointing out the potential impacts of Asian timber VCs on the environment and livelihoods, this review demonstrates that wood-based firms insert themselves into an interlinked network and consider their geographical scope, governance, cooperation and overall performance. Our findings clearly expose notable knowledge gaps and call for a broader geographic coverage, as well as more transparent and quantitative assessments. Further timber VC analyses should investigate the origins, functions, operations and interactions of firms in these chains, and also integrate environmental and social aspects.