CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Net income		$ 27,817	$ 19,709
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(80)	19
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		27,737	19,728
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	2,761	(3,724)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain arising during period		60	7
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		33	19
Total defined benefit pension plan		93	26
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative obligations	[2]	1,230	(432)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	(922)	941
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]		4
Total derivative instruments	[2]	308	513
Other comprehensive income (loss)		3,162	(3,185)
Comprehensive income		30,899	16,543
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		31	34
Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. to stockholders		$ 30,868	$ 16,509

[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.