CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income		$ 74,328	$ 90,724	$ 88,723
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(12,890)	(6,297)	(1,702)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain (loss) arising during period		(87)	(166)	(182)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		41	39	(20)
Total defined benefit pension plan		(46)	(127)	(202)
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative obligations	[2]	(97)	81	1,826
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[3]	1,882	254	(2,361)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to other income (expense), for settlement of derivatives	[2]	(6)	(19)
Total derivative instruments	[2]	1,779	316	(535)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,157)	(6,108)	(2,439)
Comprehensive income		63,171	84,616	86,284
Less: (comprehensive income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart Inc. stockholders		$ 63,170	$ 84,616	$ 86,284

[1] Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

[2] See Note 12 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

[3] Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps includes $248,000 of adjustments related to the revaluation of derivative fair market value accounts.