COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Reclassifications and Prior Period Adjusments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended											3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011		Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Previously Reported, Adjustment if Made During Period [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Previously Reported, Adjustment if Made During Period [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Previously Reported, Adjustment if Made During Period [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Previously Reported, Adjustment if Made During Period [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Restatement Adjustment	Aug. 31, 2012 Restatement Adjustment	Aug. 31, 2011 Restatement Adjustment	Aug. 31, 2010 Restatement Adjustment	Aug. 31, 2012 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member]	Aug. 31, 2008 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2008 Gain (Loss) on Sale [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2008 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2008 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax																				$ 5,600,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									57,354,000	55,507,000		50,014,000				3,100,000			(6,400,000)	(3,300,000)
Derivative Instruments, Reclassified from OTher Accrued Expenses to Other Long-term Liabilities										(884,000)
Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense									182,401,000	154,819,000		126,274,000					431,000	406,000				2,300,000
Accumulated Depreciation	114,937,000				103,940,000				114,937,000	103,940,000												4,900,000
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)									(837,000)	3,864,000		1,050,000	(837,000)	1,540,000	(483,000)						0	2,324,000	1,533,000	(312,000)	763,000	(504,000)	(508,000)	(330,000)	(312,000)	763,000	(504,000)	(508,000)	(330,000)	(525,000)	3,101,000	1,554,000	(1,456,000)	1,626,000	(525,000)	777,000	21,000	(31,000)	(16,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(33,182,000)				(22,915,000)				(33,182,000)	(22,915,000)										8,900,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									35,053,000	27,468,000	[1]	22,787,000						485,000				3,100,000
Net income attributable to PriceSmart	$ 17,706,000	$ 15,706,000	$ 20,220,000	$ 13,989,000	$ 12,690,000	$ 16,290,000	$ 17,917,000	$ 14,853,000	$ 67,621,000	$ 61,750,000		$ 49,315,000										$ 800,000

[1] Includes a $3.2 million error that decreased expense in the United States operations related to prior periods. See Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation.