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		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$ 25,600	$ 23,810	$ 45,328	$ 38,422
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders	(64)	(27)	(339)	(219)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution	$ 25,536	$ 23,783	$ 44,989	$ 38,203
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	30,255	30,206	30,266	30,189
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)	3	5	5	11
Diluted average shares outstanding	30,258	30,211	30,271	30,200
Basic net income per share	$ 0.85	$ 0.79	$ 1.49	$ 1.27
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.85	$ 0.79	$ 1.49	$ 1.27