STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019		Feb. 28, 2018		Aug. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 758,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ 4,374	$ 5,218	(8,873)		$ 3,809
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		773,160		773,160				$ 758,002
Balance		766,082	732,309	758,638		708,767		708,767
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,352	5,218	(8,894)		3,809
Balance		773,590	731,234	773,590		731,234		758,638
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				(121,216)		(110,059)		(110,059)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		4,352	5,218	(8,894)		3,809
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(130,110)	(106,250)	(130,110)		(106,250)		(121,216)
Balance		(134,462)	(111,468)	(121,216)		(110,059)		(110,059)
Balance		(130,110)	(106,250)	(130,110)		(106,250)		(121,216)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(8,276)		2,313		(12,890)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				50	[1]	59	[1]	(87)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			(668)		1,437		1,779
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]							41
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(1)
Balance		20		20				(1)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				21				(1)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)					[1]		[1]
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(121,217)		(110,059)		(110,059)
Balance		$ (130,090)	$ (106,250)	(130,090)		(106,250)		(121,217)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(8,255)		2,313		(12,891)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				50	[1]	59	[1]	(87)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			$ (668)		$ 1,437		1,779
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]							$ 41

[1] See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

[2] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.