Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Oct. 19, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	PRICESMART INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2012
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		30,209,555
Entity Public Float			$ 1,307,573,091