STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2019	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 758,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ (11,000)	$ (2,318)	(19,872)	$ 1,491
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		778,593		778,593		$ 758,002
Balance		773,590	731,234	758,638	708,767	708,767
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,059)	(2,340)	(19,952)	1,491
Balance		779,055	750,699	779,055	750,699	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		(11,059)	(2,326)	(19,952)	1,483
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(141,168)	(108,576)	(141,168)	(108,576)	(121,216)
Balance		(130,109)	(106,250)	(121,216)	(110,059)	(110,059)
Balance		(141,168)	(108,576)	(141,168)	(108,576)	(121,216)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(17,972)	(134)	(12,890)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				73	101	(87)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			(2,053)	1,516	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		79	8	79	8	(1)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				80	8	(1)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(121,217)	(110,059)	(110,059)
Balance		$ (141,089)	$ (108,568)	(141,089)	(108,568)	(121,217)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(17,892)	(126)	(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)				73	101	(87)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			$ (2,053)	$ 1,516	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.