STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 797,351
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ (5,028)	$ 4,374	(8,179)	$ (8,873)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		817,893		817,893		$ 797,351
Balance		817,772	766,082	798,279	758,638	758,638
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(5,049)	4,352	(8,234)	(8,894)
Balance		818,867	773,590	818,867	773,590	798,279
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				(144,339)	(121,216)	(121,216)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(5,049)	4,352	(8,234)	(8,894)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(152,573)	(130,110)	(152,573)	(130,110)	(144,339)
Balance		(147,524)	(134,462)	(144,339)	(121,216)	(121,216)
Balance		(152,573)	(130,110)	(152,573)	(130,110)	(144,339)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(7,107)	(8,276)	(19,717)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				50	50	(112)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			(1,177)	(668)	(3,369)
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]					75
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				20	(1)	(1)
Balance		75	20	75	20	20
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				55	21	21
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(144,319)	(121,217)	(121,217)
Balance		$ (152,498)	$ (130,090)	(152,498)	(130,090)	(144,319)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(7,052)	(8,255)	(19,696)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				50	50	(112)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			$ (1,177)	$ (668)	(3,369)
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]					$ 75

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

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