CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income		$ 25,711	$ 23,863	$ 45,420	$ 38,508
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(111)	(53)	(92)	(86)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		25,600	23,810	45,328	38,422
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(3,384)	5,121	(7,107)	(8,276)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain arising during period		6	4	13	13
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		19	18	37	37
Total defined benefit pension plan		25	22	50	50
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on change in derivative obligations	[2]	1,691	236	1,263	(70)
Unrealized losses on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	(6,128)	(1,027)	(5,191)	(598)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]	2,747		2,751
Total derivative instruments		(1,690)	(791)	(1,177)	(668)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(5,049)	4,352	(8,234)	(8,894)
Comprehensive income		20,551	28,162	37,094	29,528
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		21	22	55	21
Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. to stockholders		$ 20,530	$ 28,140	$ 37,039	$ 29,507

[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 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.