CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 109,205	$ 104,553	$ 98,159
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		0	(19)	(196)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		109,205	104,534	97,963
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	33,708	(19,034)	(7,837)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net loss arising during period		(1,819)	(341)	(230)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		148	127	127
Total defined benefit pension plan		(1,671)	(214)	(103)
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on change in derivative obligations	[2]	6,000	(4,021)	(140)
Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	(9,177)	10,191	2,392
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]	2,734	0	0
Total derivative instruments	[2]	(443)	6,170	2,252
Other comprehensive income (loss)		31,594	(13,078)	(5,688)
Comprehensive income		140,799	91,456	92,275
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		0	3	117
Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		$ 140,799	$ 91,453	$ 92,158

[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 permanently reinvested for any jurisdiction where distribution from a foreign affiliate would cause additional tax cost 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 “Note 13 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.