CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Net income		$ 12,633	$ 14,069	$ 58,053	$ 52,577
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		72	27	(20)	(59)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		12,705	14,096	58,033	52,518
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(12,874)	(9,697)	(19,981)	(17,972)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain arising during period		22	42	109	129
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		(19)	(19)	(56)	(56)
Total defined benefit pension plan		3	23	53	73
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized losses on change in derivative obligations	[2]	(1,471)	(267)	(208)	(337)
Unrealized losses on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	(1,104)	(1,118)	(6,295)	(1,716)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]			2,751
Total derivative instruments	[2]	(2,575)	(1,385)	(3,752)	(2,053)
Other comprehensive loss		(15,446)	(11,059)	(23,680)	(19,952)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(2,741)	3,037	34,353	32,566
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		35	59	90	80
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. to stockholders		$ (2,776)	$ 2,978	$ 34,263	$ 32,486

[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.