STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		$ 797,351
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(32,367)	$ (23,102)	$ (11,158)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		831,719	797,351
Balance		798,279	758,638	708,767
Balance		832,732	798,279	758,638
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(144,339)	(121,216)	(110,059)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(32,481)	(23,123)	(11,157)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(176,820)	(144,339)	(121,216)
Balance		(144,339)	(121,216)	(110,059)
Balance		(176,820)	(144,339)	(121,216)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(29,413)	(19,717)	(12,890)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]	(79)	(112)	(87)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]	(5,803)	(3,369)	1,785
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		2,814	75	35
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		20	(1)
Balance		134	20	(1)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		114	21	(1)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(144,319)	(121,217)	(110,059)
Balance		(176,686)	(144,319)	(121,217)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(29,299)	(19,696)	(12,891)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(79)	(112)	(87)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]	(5,803)	(3,369)	1,785
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$ 2,814	$ 75	$ 35

[1] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

[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.