UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES (Summary of Financial Information of Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Assets and Liabilities, Net
Current assets	$ 1,398	$ 1,344
Noncurrent assets	10,686	10,949
Current liabilities	138	156
Noncurrent liabilities	8	8
Net Income (Loss)
PriceSmart's share of net loss of unconsolidated affiliates	$ (95)	$ (61)	$ (8)

Variable Interest Entity, Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Variable Interest Entity, Income (Loss) [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityIncomeLossAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Current Assets

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountCurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Current Liabilities

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountCurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Noncurrent Assets

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountNoncurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Noncurrent Liabilities

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountNoncurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Net Income (Loss)

No definition available.

Name:	psmt_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration