EARNINGS PER SHARE (Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.	$ 18,694	$ 18,838	$ 55,332	$ 70,926
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders	(244)	(272)	(642)	(1,034)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$ 18,450	$ 18,566	$ 54,690	$ 69,892
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	30,137	30,043	30,105	30,010
Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)		2		4
Diluted average shares outstanding	30,137	30,045	30,105	30,014
Basic	$ 0.61	$ 0.62	$ 1.82	$ 2.34
Diluted	$ 0.61	$ 0.62	$ 1.82	$ 2.34