(A) A producer must apply to the department on forms the department prescribes for a certificate of registration, which must be approved and issued before the shipment of beer or wine by the producer to a point within the State. A producer, at the same time application is made for a certificate of registration, must remit to the department a fee of two hundred dollars.

(B) The department, in its discretion upon consideration of the information contained in the application for a certificate of registration, must issue or reject the application.

(C) A certificate of registration is valid from the date of issue until the second August thirty-first after the issuance of the license. Beer and wine wholesalers must purchase beer, ale, or wine from manufacturers or importers who hold a certificate of registration issued by the department. Nothing in this section or § 61-4-940 prohibits the transfer or purchase and sale, for resale to retailers only, between wholesalers authorized by the registered producer or an exclusive agent in the State to distribute the same brand or brands of wine, beer, or ale.