STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 831,719
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ (2,557)	$ (15,411)	(457)	$ (23,590)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		898,803		898,803		$ 831,719
Balance		875,251	818,867	832,732	798,279	798,279
Balance		899,784	819,603	899,784	819,603	832,732
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(2,590)	(15,446)	(548)	(23,680)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(177,368)	(168,019)	(177,368)	(168,019)	(176,820)
Balance		(174,778)	(152,573)	(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Balance		(177,368)	(168,019)	(177,368)	(168,019)	(176,820)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(2,577)	(19,981)	(29,413)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			164	53	(79)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]			1,865	(3,752)	(5,803)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				134	20	20
Balance		225	110	225	110	134
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				91	90	114
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						2,814
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(176,686)	(144,319)	(144,319)
Balance		$ (177,143)	$ (167,909)	(177,143)	(167,909)	(176,686)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(2,486)	(19,891)	(29,299)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			164	53	(79)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]			$ 1,865	$ (3,752)	(5,803)
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)						$ 2,814

[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 Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.