Document And Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	PRICESMART INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 1,307,573,091
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,199,977
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 29, 2012