Trace elements (metals and metalloids) are naturally occurring substances that may be essential at trace levels but become toxic pollutants at higher concentrations, accumulating in biological systems and posing severe risks to wildlife. Trace element contamination in shorebirds and allies has been documented since the 1960s, primarily in studies on the Atlantic Americas Flyway, Pacific Americas Flyway, and Mississippi Americas Flyway. The East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), which supports the highest diversity and abundance of migratory birds globally, remains comparatively understudied in trace element contamination despite rapid industrialization along its coasts. While previous reviews have provided broad overviews of contaminant exposure in shorebirds and allies, few have synthesized data specific to the EAAF or focused exclusively on trace elements. Here, we address this gap by compiling and analyzing both historical and recent research on trace element contamination in shorebirds across countries within the EAAF. We identified 77 articles related to the topic, with studies conducted in 10 of the 19 Flyway Site Network countries in the EAAF; however, the remaining nine countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, remain entirely unassessed. Eighty shorebird species were assessed, with various samples taken to analyze trace element content. Feathers were the most frequently sampled shorebird body parts for investigating trace element contamination and were a reliable indicator of internal trace element burdens. Mercury, lead, cadmium, and manganese were the most commonly studied elements, with the former two exceeding toxicity thresholds in multiple species across several studies in the EAAF. Our results provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date compilation of trace element studies in shorebirds along the EAAF. Given the increasing development pressures, particularly within developing countries along this flyway, we strongly recommend expanding trace element studies of shorebirds and allies, prioritising currently unassessed developing countries. This initiative will facilitate targeted conservation efforts, enabling the effective protection and restoration of these vital habitats, ultimately ensuring the long-term survival of shorebird populations.