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, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 797,351
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ (15,411)	$ (11,000)	(23,590)	$ (19,872)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		818,666		818,666		$ 797,351
Balance		818,867	773,590	798,279	758,638	758,638
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(15,446)	(11,059)	(23,680)	(19,952)
Balance		819,603	779,055	819,603	779,055	798,279
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (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		(15,446)	(11,059)	(23,680)	(19,952)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(168,019)	(141,168)	(168,019)	(141,168)	(144,339)
Balance		(152,573)	(130,109)	(144,339)	(121,216)	(121,216)
Balance		(168,019)	(141,168)	(168,019)	(141,168)	(144,339)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(19,981)	(17,972)	(19,717)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				53	73	(112)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			(3,752)	(2,053)	(3,369)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				20	(1)	(1)
Balance		110	79	110	79	20
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				90	80	21
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart						75
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(144,319)	(121,217)	(121,217)
Balance		$ (167,909)	$ (141,089)	(167,909)	(141,089)	(144,319)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(19,891)	(17,892)	(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)				53	73	(112)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			$ (3,752)	$ (2,053)	(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)						$ 75

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