CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income		$ 78,181	$ 73,489	$ 74,403
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(72)	(298)	(75)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		78,109	73,191	74,328
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(29,413)	(19,717)	(12,890)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net loss arising during period		(79)	(112)	(87)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		93	74	41
Total defined benefit pension plan		14	(38)	(46)
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized losses on change in derivative obligations	[2]	(490)	(267)	(97)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	(5,313)	(3,102)	1,882
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]	2,721	1	(6)
Total derivative instruments	[2]	(3,082)	(3,368)	1,779
Other comprehensive loss		(32,481)	(23,123)	(11,157)
Comprehensive income		45,628	50,068	63,171
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		114	21	(1)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. to stockholders		$ 45,514	$ 50,047	$ 63,172

[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] Refer to Part II. “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 13 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.