Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PRICESMART INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 28, 2017
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,398,096