ACQUISITION (Pro Forma Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		$ 75
Amortization		1,120
Pro Forma [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma total revenues		3,197,307	$ 3,040,168	$ 2,946,083
Pro forma net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	[1]	67,734	82,587	80,852
Pro forma net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		444	$ 248	$ (20)
Amortization		2,100
Aeropost, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		$ (9,800)
Period of employment from date of closing		15 months
Remaining purchase price contingency		$ 3,900
Remaining period of the fifteen months		12 months

[1] Includes the pro forma recognition of $3.0 million of post-combination compensation expense, which represents completion of twelve of the fifteen months of continued service required to satisfy the $3.9 million remaining purchase price contingency, and $2.1 million for the amortization of intangible assets for the twelve months ended August 31, 2018.